Reply To: 1957 Evinrude Big Twin 35 Skeg interferes with gears.

[Geer Pyron]

I’ve run into the exact same problem at least twice now. On two different motors than what you are working on, but it’s worth a look.
First, make sure only the splines are lubed on the upper part of the driveshaft. And same applies to lower end at pinion gear if the pinion gear is closed on one end. If you put lube on the ends of it sometimes the driveshaft will not go all the way into the crankshaft. The thick lube seals it and the air can’t get out preventing the drive shaft from inserting all the way in.
Most recently I found a oil drain screw interfering with the reverse gear once the gearcase was all assembled. It was a ‘79 35 horse OMC.  I took that thing apart 4(!) times before I found the issue.
it was a strange problem and only occurred after I had replaced the existing 3 washers with just one, but it didn’t occur to me at the time that someone had had the problem before and solved it with using extra washers on that drain screw. The point is I guess is that it is something simple. Hopefully. Maybe.
G

JMGP