Lower Shift Cable Install

[jrsick]

I'm sliding in my new lower shift cable jacket and can't seem to get it through the transom, I hit metal. I have the fish wire in place and have threaded it through the new cable jacket. I put the cable jacket through the shift bellows housing and it goes about 3 inches then hits metal. I've tried having a helper push the cable jacket while I mess with the fish wire from the engine side with no luck. I guess this is a just a "keep trying" scenario but would like to hear any suggestions you have.
I knew things were going too well with this maintenance. I got the drive off and replaced the gimbal bearing and bellows in record time. This was the last step.

[mmwjr]

You’re hitting the transom plate. The hole is not that big so the way you are doing it will require you to wiggle the cable while pulling and repushing until it goes through.

I typically do this with the bell housing and shift bellows off and slide th3 cable through then but hanging on the cable this leaves the transom hole exposed to push the cable through.

[jrsick]

Thanks for the reply. I don't have the shift bellows installed, it's just on the cable. I have good access to bellows housing.
I installed the black plastic cable guide inside of the bellows housing in hopes that would point the cable to the hole in the transom. Nope.
I have a pole with a hook on the end that I'm using to move the fish wire from the engine side. Helper is pushing cable from transom side. Me and helper are starting to cuss at each other so I decided to re-think the plan and seek inputs.