Not shifting after impeller replacement

[Pacific Fisher]

I replaced the impeller on my 1997 60 hp.
Before beginning I put the shifter in forward per advice I was given.
I then dropped the lower unit and replaced the impeller.
After installing the lower unit the shifter is no working and the motor stays in forward.
How can I correct this?

Thanks

[rodbolt17]

mostly by doing it correctly.

NEVER place the shifter in fwd before dropping the lower.

now drop the lower,place the lower to the N position,place the shifter to N.
reinstall the case making sure the lower splines mate with the upper.

who gave you the info on placing it in fwd ?

[Pacific Fisher]

Thanks for the reply. I found an old thread on this subject and pulled the outdrive, rotated the shift shaft till it went into neutral, put the shifter in neutral and slipped it back on. Shifts perfect.
I got the advice about putting it in forward from a rocket scientist.

[Pacific Fisher]

Thanks for the reply. I found an old thread on this subject and pulled the outdrive, rotated the shift shaft till it went into neutral, put the shifter in neutral and slipped it back on. Putting a piece of rubber hose on the splined shift shaft worked well to protect it while I rotated it with small channel lock pliers.
Pees strong and shifts perfect. I am ready for Salmon season .
I got the advice about putting it in forward before the job from a rocket scientist.

[robert graham]

The rockets go in forward but the outboards go in neutral...rocket man just had his technologies mixed up