Cut the existing shift rod at the level of the water pump. slip on a connector with a hacksaw blade in the gap in the middle as a stop to see where to file the notch for the connector bolt. Do the same with he upper part of the shift rod. Install the 5" long connector to one of the the shift rods and proceed with the rest of the instillation. You then have a choice of where to separate the exhaust housing to drop the rower unit the next time you want to change the impeller. The down side, you would still have to pull the powerhead to check the bottom crankshaft seal. . . 😎
