i cant get my lower unit back on
 

88 johnson200 i took it off today to replace the water pump and went to put it back on and now i cant get the thing back on . any tips would be appreciated. thanks

Step one
Move the shifter at the helm into full throttle IN gear (F) position this moves the shift rod connector out of the way of the top of the shift rod. Note you will need to position the rod once in place and ease her back into the N position to connect the rod screw.
Step 2
Check the water pickup tube in the mid section you may have twisted it out of position.
Step 3
Push the shift rod DOWN to engage the LU in gear, you will need the second person to slowly turn the prop or flywheel in a clockwise rotation it whilst you push the LU up into place (this is to engage the splines)

To look for Water Pickup Tube, Spline engagement and Top of shift rod also the exhaust adapter..
Hopefully this helps..
Here is a photo of the shift rod through the hole and connected on my 87 140 v4
http://i527.photobucket.com/albums/c...e/DSCF0008.jpg
Picture of the water pickup tube (picture taken with the mid upside down)

http://i527.photobucket.com/albums/c...aterPickup.jpg

http://i527.photobucket.com/albums/c...ove/Spline.jpg
Good Luck

thanks alot i'll try it tomorrow.hopefully i can get it.

lower unit back ,now reverse grinds into gear
 

first of all ,thanks for nymack66 for the tip getting it back on. i was trying to kill myself putting it back on by myself. ok now i have it back on and when i put it in reverse it starts to grind then stops. is there more than one way for the splines to line up on the shaft ? thanks in advance

To answer your question the spline connection to the power head has no right or wrong.
I am assuming you tried to shift whilst the engine was running on the hose ?
Any issues shifting into forward ?
Couple of things to check or note in regards to this problem.
First and foremost did you rotate the shift rod when the unit was off? If yes the adjustment on the rod is off it has to precise.
I recommend you have someone work the shifter into R and F (Engine NOT running) whilst you observe the travel of the shifter it has to moved fully into gear.
My trick is to unscrew and remove the cable and move it by hand observing the "travel" in both directions. When the cable is connected it MUST be the same if not trouble.
If the shift rod was NOT turned when removed chances are you can get by with adjusting the shifter cable if not you must adjust the rod to specs..

i didnt think that was the problem about the splines it's either in there or not.as for the shifter cable on the end of mine it has a offset bend so i know it is orientated the right way.i will check it out tomorrow and have someone shift it while i watch .the cables are only 1 year old so they should be fine but the reverse might need adjusting.once again thanks for the help.and i'll let you know tomorrow.