FORCE 1996 120 hp lower unit installation help

[heavy360]

ok i have a 1996 120 hp force i just replaced the impeller and i can't get the lower unit to go all the way up, it stops about 1" short, i tried to move the shift lever on the boat, it went on then but i had only forward and no reverse, i know there is a trick to this but i forgot how to do it. any help please. this lower unit gets real heavy after awile, buy yourself. .thanks john

 

[HAV2FISH]

Re: FORCE 1996 120 hp lower unit installation help

Try putting the lower unit and shift lever in forward. Then see if lower unit will fit. You can also try with lower unit and shifter in neutral have someone turn the flywheel while your lifting the lower unit into place. Thats how i got mine in.

 

[Rope Goat]

Re: FORCE 1996 120 hp lower unit installation help

I had my lower unit rebuilt this off-season and when I went to put it back on, I hadn't noticed that the white plastic fitting on top of the water pump had come off when I removed it before the rebuild. Perhaps that's what's happening to you. Worth a try, at least. When you look up inside the lower unit, there should just be a water pickup tube there ready to meet up with the white plastic fitting on top of the water pump. Just a chance, but I thought worth a comment.