I have a 98 225 ProMax with a Sportsmaster lower unit serial # OG787344. I know y’all get get tired of hearing this but I have put in many many water pumps. This is the first time I have ever seen this. There is a captured washer that has slid over and blocking the bottom of the power head where the driveshaft slips in. I can move it around but it still falls back and blocks the splines. My question is should I make a hook and snatch it out or try to grease it to stick in place long enough to stab it in?
One other option may be putting the boat on ramps and leveling the motor to where I can lift it straight up. What say my Merc friends ?