Pulling apart a lower unit

[JimCt]

Got all the parts needed to replace the water impeller in my Merc. 75.  Loosened all 5 nuts on the lower unit but can only pull the unit back about .050" and there it stops.  The shifter rod has a splined section on it where it disappears into the fwd. part of the lower unit so it appears that it should just slide off the mating part inside the unit.  I've got the Seloc service manual but it doesn't show anything about the removal process.

Am I missing something here that is holding the thing together?  Motor is an '03 which hasn't been apart before.

[Deck Daddy]

Jim, give this site a try.  

 http://www.themarinedoctor.com/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl#MM

[JimCt]

Thanks for the link DD.  All sorts of good stuff on there.  I'll spend some time plowing through it tonight and see if I can get educated.

[JimCt]

Went over to www.themarinedoctor.com (thanks, DD) and got the needed advice which was to bounce a rubber mallet around it 'till it came free.  It worked and the water pump job proceeded pleasantly from there on out.

That site is a great resource for engine questions.

[Deck Daddy]

Yep, great site. Got this site from Jerry-rigged when I had a question about my 115. Spent hours on it reading and learning.

[Jerry-rigged]

DD-

Did you ever get that I-6 running?

Jerry

[Deck Daddy]

It ran when I bought it. It just needs a stator. Runs like a raped ape but dies to mid range after about a minute. Will run all day like that. From what I can tell from several dealers and mechanics it is a common problem. So it sits on its engine stand waiting for me to get it on its new home. I cant wait to run it. I hear nothing but good things about it aside from the noise and gas guzzling. Good thing i am about half deaf . She was on oddly enough, a 86 20' AS. Pushed the boat at 34 knots. The Romarine should fly with it.