1998 Mercury 9.9/15HP 4-stroke outboards factory service manual, Page 324Get this manual
BIG FOOT
Gear Housing Installation
9.915 Bigfoot (4Stroke)
WARNING
To prevent accidental engine starting remove (and isolate) spark plug leads from spark plugs before installing gear housing IMPORTANT: If water tube has been removed, follow installation procedure in Section 5Water tube location is critical for proper alignment to water pump1Tilt outboard to full "UP" position2Place shift handle (tiller models) or shift lever (remote control models) into neutral3Place gear housing into neutral by pushing down on the lower shift shaft (from forward gear) to neutral detent(Propeller will rotate freely in either direction)4Coat splines of drive shaft with 2-4-C wTeflon5Guide gear housing onto drive shaft housing to aligning the following: Keep mating surfaces of gear housingdrive shaft housing parallel