TOPIC: Mark 35a Lower unit reinstall, HELP?

Over a year ago I removed the lower unit of my Mark 35a.
Changed the waterpump. Went to reinstall and only could get it to go in reverse. Can anyone tell me where I went wrong and how to get this back to where I need it? The manual is not very descript when it comes to the shaft and "clutch?" piece.
Thanks for any help.
Chet

set your shift lever into forward gear , turn the shift shaft on the lower till your into forward gear.....now as you insert the lower into position ...watch the water tube to be certain it will line up correctly.....you may need to rotate/rock the flywheel as you push upwards on the lower to allow the shift shaft and or drive shaft splines to line up

some like neutral some prefer forward gear...I prefer forward as neutral is too easy to rotate off a tooth...then you get only 1 gear forward or reverse as you are experiencing....at least with using the forward gear less chance rotating off a tooth

be patient and vigilant you will get it...even doing many of these its still tricky on some motors depending how well things line up how easy they shift gears etc etc etc

Thanks, I'l give it a shot this afternoon.
Which way does the shaft rotate for forward?
Clockwise or counter clockwise?
Thanks again
Chet

counter till it goes into neutral then back to foward.

Ok, after turning the shaft counterclockwise until it stopped, then back one click (in gear) the lower unit will not go up. it comes within about 5/8 to 3/4 of an inch. However if I have someone move the handle tword neutral on the controls it pops right up. The problem is it still only has reverse and neutral. Forward is impossible to move the lever into. Am I doing something wrong?
Thanks in advance for all of your help.
Chet

Anyone?

Should I have to do anything with the linkage?

Do I need to jump up and down on one foot, pat my head and rub my belly then kick the boat, wiggle the shifter and it goes in?

Any tricks?

take a long screw driver and hammer and tap the shift shaft down it is under the bottom carb.

Thanks Dave, I'll try it.

That did it! Thanks again for all of your help!

great glad it worked. i worked at Grubb's marine in the 60's learned alot during that time.

great glad it worked. i worked at Grubb's marine in the 60's learned alot during that time.

Taking it out on Saturday. Hope all works well. I changed all the fuel lines, rebuilt the fuel pump and carbs, also changed the points. Last time it went out it would not RPM, so it just wouldn't plane. I followed the last suggestions from the previous Mercury board that moved over here and you guys haven't failed me yet.
Thanks again!!