mercury 1984 water pump

[steplift20]

First of all happy thanks giving to all my friends out there
now this is my problem
I have a 1984 mercury out board that i am changing the water pump on. I put the motor in forward took off the lower unit and now i cant get it to go on all the way, it stops about 1 inch away and i cant see what is making it not go all the way up
any help would be great thanks again

[smokeonthewater]

try turning the prop counter clockwise while lifting the lower unit to line up the splines of the drive shaft to the engine


also make sure the water tube is in the powerhead first and then make sure it lines up with the pump as the lower is put on

[steplift20]

thanks smoke, I got it in now im just waiting to start her up. What happened is that she overheated cause the water impellor was bad so now im keeping my fingers crossed that she will start, it cranked slowly but the battery is dead so wish me luck
thanks again, if it was seized it wouldnt turn over at all right?

[smokeonthewater]

well yes that is the definition of seized but damage can occur without getting to the point of seizing..... Do a compression test.