Capt. Frank,After reading your post Im still not sure what your asking,your as confusing as ebb.Ive pulled my engine and replaced the shaft,cutlass bearing , seal and prop .No big deal.If youve torn up some gears in the trans. you got to yank the engine(most likely)but these engines are tough.Im told the cluches last forever and when I rebuilt my engine I didnt replace them.Just adjust it if it slips.You could have a broken coupling or a loose one or even your engine has come loose and has moved.Whens the last time you tightened everything up?Its hard to trouble shoot from here.