ok ill tell the story quickly.
the lower unit was being difficult to put back on.. driveshaft wasnt lineing up correctly.
so after about 30 minutes of wrestling with the thing i decided to force things... keep in mind that it is an old 74 65hp 3banger merc. It has a wierd issue that when tilted the carb leaks gas, not a little.. but whatever is in the carb at that moment. the positive wire going to the battery is frayed (which i found out was an issue) and the rocking of the boat while i tryed to put the lower unit in must have cause a spark.
Spark plus gas = a very bad day.
battery wires are being replaced before next year
tajon;
yep went through 3 last year... but thats just because I couldnt find the coolant problem.