Breakin' my back here on both outdrives. I have Gil mounts that are not adjustable on the mtrs so I think that's not it. I put the drive in gear got it to engage motor splines about 1/2 inch then about where the large "tube" goes into the housing on the transom and the bolts are just on the edge of going in it hits something. I can't get a screwdriver or even see in the u-joint area because it's already to far in. What am I missing?

Honestly, it sounds like a misalignment. Borrow the tool and check it. The greased tool should slide in and out with two fingers.

I had the same thing happen to me, your motor is either too low or high, you may have to shim her, I would go with alignment to be your culprit.

mercstuff has them for less that $100

got them both in. The local marine dude said he always has to beat them in with a 4x4(actually a very experienced shop) and that's what I just did. Aliegnment was not changed (I hope) as there is no front adj and the back is the same. Seemed just to be the force of sliding into the splines and pushing the o-rings up the hole.

Are you sure, did you verify the alignment? Mine slips in and out with just a good push.

i wouldnt think you would need to beat it in. ive done that before and always bent the sh*t out of something.

I reread my post and I could not find anything about beating on it.

btw give me that local marine guys name in case i need to know what size sledge to put it on with

OK,guess they are coming back off. Does the spring on the rear mount inside the fiber washer act as an adjustment point? In other words ,maybe I overtightened it and should have left some lift in it. I dont know any other place that could be adjusted,,I have a 1990 Fountain 29' with the Gil frame that has 3 bolts into an alum. angle on each side of the motor(no adjment possible here and no wear in the holes).

BTW: I knew I would get some good response from that last post

To the best of my knowledge, that spring is not an adjustment point. The drives should slide on easily. You should never beat then on with a hammer or anything else.