bro, i had a busted pipe, same thing, the plug weld had saltwater rot and pipe was leaking like a faucet...i took the pipe off, LITERALLY took less than ten minutes..the bolt that screws the pipe into the side of the motor is the hardest, but patience and a 13mm socket, with a swivel adapter gets it off fine...
the crook scumbag around the corner even did it for me for $30 and it was fine...take it to any welding shop, i bet they'll do it cheaper than that...
going up north this weekend, and when i get back, i'm gonna try messin with the carbon ring, retainer clip on pto, and maybe even loosen the motor mounts a tiny bit and try shifting...
but yea, you're better off DOING the motor mounts yourself, if you're pretty handy, its not bad, ESPECIALLY IF you have the right tools...
i didnt, didnt even have the ski on a trailer, and was still able to do it..
then, just have your "buddy" align the motor, then he cant charge you 200$