Shifter in gear, remove the metal clip from the front, and slide the lower shift cable out of the slot in the connector (don't have to loosen the screws). Remove the nuts/screws and drop the gearcase down.
ok did that, replaced impeller with a spare, now the shift cable is stuck, is there suppossed to be spring pressure plulling down on the cable? it seems to be jammed in the neutral position.