For a 1966 20 Hp Johnson I had the same problem after all shafts are disconnected (I had a shift shaft coupler it had to be disconnected) the lower case and exhaust case would not separate. Anyways it would not separate after all things disconnected. I succeeded only after spraying a lot of PB...
I've completed a rebuild of the lower unit and am attaching it to the exhaust casing. I did not have a gasket to seal the 2 units and I did not notice sealant when disassembling (that was a month ago). These are metal to metal surfaces should I put a marine grade sealant between these surfaces...
for a johnson 20Hp outboard motor were is the shift rod bushing gasket located?
I have the shift rod bushing and the shift rod seal.
Should I place the shift rod bushing gasket into the hole before hammering in the bushing and seal