The above applies ONLY to NON SHIFT lower unit. A shift type lower unit
is somewhat different but clamping prop shaft in vise between two boards
and use of rubber mallet to alternately tap skeg and tower side of gear case
is a Mercury Service Manual method to remove. Heat and solvent still apply.
Always a good practice to keep track of how things were when you found them
so they can be replaced as found UNLESS improperly assembled by a careless
mechanic.
Water pump moved to drive shaft to make room for shift mechanism.
Louis