Gear position when assembling SEI 116 Sterndrive

[joedm2000]

I'm experiencing some gear sifting issues . I heard the cause could be that I did not assemble the upper and lower unit correctly. I was told the lower unit must be in forward gear (shift shaft facing straight forward and is the prop locked in CCW direction) when I put the unit together. Do this make sense? If so why?

 

[Rick Stephens]

That is correct. Everything has to be aligned. It would also be possible to attach upper to lower in reverse if you knew right where all the shift shafts belonged, but it is correct to align upper shift shaft fore and aft, forward position wile lower is locked into forward gear - which means the prop is engaged when turned CCW.

Note, CCW in forward is holding the prop against the gear teeth in the position that applies power the prop CW.