Proper Installation of Prop Shaft 35HP Force 1988 Issue

[Bimmerknut]

I originally had another thread going but figured to move to a new thread with a different issue. I first needed to replace the impeller. Did that and then went to check lube and it was milky. After putting in a new seal kit, I didn't hook up the linkage properly and ended up tearing the hell outta my yoke. So now the entire guts have been removed and reassembled. My issue now is before I put the prop coupling on, I can move the selector rod by hand and the prop-shaft moves. Once I bolt up the coupler, I can no longer get the prop-shaft to slide at all. Keep in mind, I'm doing this while the lower end is in a vise on my workbench. It's not installed to the motor and there's no linkage hooked up yet. The only thing I can think of is that perhaps the clutch needs to be in a particular location as does the selector rod as I slide the prop-shaft into the housing. I'm using a bit of grease to hold the yoke in place while I do this and then I lift up on the selector rod as the shaft goes it until I can get the fork on the rod to hold the tabs on the yoke. What am I doing incorrectly?

Thanks Folks!