"James" wrote in message
link.net...
Don't know thw omc's but I can tell you that on merc i/os the engine has
to
be aligned before the shaft will slide into the coupler. It is common for
the alignment to get off from the engine mounts and/or transom shifting or
sagging. The merc also has a double universal and the shaft goes through
a
bearing before sliding into the splined coupler. When it is out of
alignment it will not go into the coupler. The merc tool for setting the
alignment claims it also fits some omcs so I'm thinking the process is the
same. On the mercs the engine mounts are adjustable up and down to change
the alignment. I suspect the omc must have something similar.


Agree - However, if your engine is sitting on the mounts and they have not
been moved, it should not have gotten so far out of alignment that you can
not get the shaft in. Put your outdrive into gear and bump the prop with
your hand - you maybe able to wiggle the shaft enough to get it to go in.
Once started check (on merc) the shift fork or whatever other connection you
have to the tranny before tightening down.