Impeller change 1997 Mercury/mariner 8 hp motor

[frosh coach]

All,
I'm trying to change the impeller on my outboard. I removed the three screws to disconnect the lower housing from the upper housing. It comes down about an inch and a half then gets struck. If I pull hard it actually shift into gear. What am I doing wrong? Thanks in advance for all your help guys...
Chris

 

[Sandy]

You have to disconnect the shift rod, but I don't know whether that is done through that 1 1/2" opening or up by the bottom of the power head in the lower cowling on that motor.

Probably the former, and the shift usually has to be in a particular gear position to allow best access to the connector.

Don't let the lower shift rod rotate CW or CCW at all, as that would change its length above the gear case and it will no longer go into or out of gears properly when reassembled.