Re: Merc 9.8 what's the shift shaft trick? l/u install
The factory manual tells you to put both top and bottom in forward. On the lower unit, the flat on the shift shaft spline should be facing aft. I usually rock the flywheel back and forth to get the splined drive shaft to engage. And the later models have the "start in gear" protection, so you have to block that lever out. (It also helps to have 3 hands or a helper!)
