2002 Optimax water pump replacement

[520vx]

I have a 2002 Optimax 225 (ser# 0T528474) I am getting ready to replace water pump and gaskets. It looks pretty simple except for the replacement of the lower unit, I've watched several videoes but there is one thing no one seems to agree on, that is whether to have engine in Foreward, reverse or neutral when you take lower unit off,,,any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks John

[Savage]

Its personal preference. Some like forward, others like neutral.

[squidbefsh22]

Did mine in neutral. Just make sure the tube going up in the motor is correct. Missed and was sucking air on muffs. Dropped and made sure it went in. All good after. Thanks. BC

[EuropeanAM]

I definitely prefer neutral as it is a FIXED position in the rotation of the shift shaft.

Forward is NOT.

A couple items to suggest:

1. Avoid the tube videos. Yes there's a few good ones, and there's a ton of bad ones. Even a few that will leave you holding the gearcase for an hour and possibly cause you to start hunting preparation-H.

2. DON'T use grease on the impeller! Yes, I'm aware that some of the manuals now even TELL you to do this. Using ANY form of petroleum product on the impeller WILL shorten the life of the impeller!

3. DO use DAWN DISH SOAP on the impeller as a lubricant. It's water soluble, and safe for your impeller/engine.

4. I strongly recommend removing/replacing gearcase in NEUTRAL. Anyone you see doing it in FORWARD, and then turning the prop backwards to align splines is thoughtlessly turning the impeller BACKWARDS in the housing, folding the blades improperly.

[JOE54]

^^^^+1..... N

[SilverFox579]

+2 on N.

I'm pushing 70 and don't want to hold the lower unit any longer than I have to. Lining up shaft to it's pre-removal position makes it a single stab during reassembly. The 2.5L water pump is different but could still apply what I do, see my process here.