TOPIC: confused

Greetings, I am trying to remove the stern drive on a 1967 Larson with a 120. serial number on the drive is 2260490. Everything that I have read shows to remove the six nuts, put in to forward gear and it should pull off. I can get it to move a little bit, but will not come off. What am I missing. I have sprayed some lube around the flange, corroded? I am new to I/o and I do not want to break anything. Thank you.

After some more research I decided it was time for the persuader. Aka 5 lb. mall I had already removed the engine so I started to tap on the drive shaft and it moved. Rusty water started to pour out and once all the way out what a nasty mess in the boot. Assuming the boot is bad?? When I figure out how to post pictures I will add them.

The boot is definitely bad. They need to be changed every two to three years or so, and checked at least seasonally for leaks. Salt water always takes a bit more of a toll on the boot due to crustaceans, and in fresh water muskrats and the like can potentially nibble on them, n addition to just general degradation of the ruber.

A bad leak can sink the boat! Make sure you replace the main as well as the shift cable boot.

Oh boy. Yes you need new bellows, and a new gimble bearing and u joints as well. Water in that area is bad news, and if a joint lets go it can sink the boat. Replace everything that rotates inside there, remember it all turns at crankshaft speed!!