1989 35 HP Pivot Pin Please help me

[ducking fisherman]

So i have read a few threads on here about this "PIVOT PIN". well i took this out not knowing what it actually was.....ummm WTF did i do that for! LOL well I was trying to lower my lower unit and change the gear oil and check the impeller. After I removed the pin i rotated the prop and I also turned the flywheel trying to get the pin put back in. Well that didnt work so i did some reading and some people say that you can go aline the holes back up well i thought i got it all lined up perfect and I got the pin back in but now i cant get it out of forward gear....what is the best way to line these back up? I also tried flipping the motor over to align it but that still hasnt worked.

[boats.net]

The cradle inside gearcase would have fell down and unless can get it back up using a small pic to line it back up then would have to dis***emble gearcase to get pin back into cradle.