5 HP Mercury lower unit

[algae]

Hello, I have an 88 5 HP Mercury 2 stoke 1 cylinder. I removed the lower unit and now can't get it back on. It stops an inch or two away from full connected. this is the type that has a lower and upper shift rod that are bound together. I'm hoping I"m missing something easy. Any help is much appreciated. thanks.

 

[flyingscott]

Try turning the flywheel to line up the splines on the driveshaft.

 

[algae]

thanks Flyingscott. I was turning the flywheel and it did get it closer but not all the way.

 

[fastjeff]

It's not engaging at the shifter connection. Try wiggling the shifter as you push on the LU. Don't move it too far or you'll engage the wrong splines and have to do it all over again.

Jeff

PS: I know it's a small motor, but I use a bungee cord to hold the weight up as I do this. Makes it easier.

 

[algae]

Thanks Jeff. I ended up getting it back in. I think the issue was I didn't have the lower unit in reverse or maybe I just finally wiggled it the right way...

Is Loctite necessary when putting those bolts back in? I wish I had known it was there when I started - I broke one of the bolts off in the exhaust housing. I only use this in freshwater. Can I get away with marine grease?

Also, how much of a "tell tale" stream should I see? it basically just drips out, one drip every couple seconds. The motor doesn't seem to be overheating - on a warm day on the water the cover gets hot but not too hot to hold my hand on it and the drip from the tell tale tube feels cold

Thank you!