Reinstall Merc 4hp lower unit

[CountryRN]

Hey all, I have a late 80's Mercury 4hp. I have replaced the cooling impeller and am trying to reinstall the lower unit. I am having trouble with getting the drive shaft to fit back into the splines on the power head. I am able to get the lower unit about 1.5-2 inches from seating into place and just hit a stopping point. I have tried moving the shift lever from reverse to foward and I have tried rotating the prop in attempt to turn the drive shaft to better aline the splines.
Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks.

 

[crazymanme2]

Rock the flywheel instead of the prop as your putting steady pressure pushing up.Make sure your shift coupler is lining up.

 

[CountryRN]

Rock the flywheel instead of the prop as your putting steady pressure pushing up.Make sure your shift coupler is lining up.

Thanks, I will give this a try asap.

 

[Bass n flats]

Rock the flywheel instead of the prop as your putting steady pressure pushing up.Make sure your shift coupler is lining up.

X2

A small dental style mirror and small flash light to look up the exhaust housing will tell you if everything is lined up. A second set of hands really help too. I had the same problem on my omc because the water tube would not line up either