motor mounted neutral safety switch hadn't come out yet.. was a few years later.. but there should be a neutral safety switch inside tha control box
gear case?.. unless its been changed which is a good possibility is has whats called a pre-load gear case.. its a weaker design than a later model.... it still works pretty good though if in good condition.. it gets its name because of tha way tha top driveshaft bearing is held in place.. easily identified when its off tha motor.. has what looks like a dowl pin stickin' outta tha top of tha driveshaft.. it has a spring under it which compresses when installed holding tha top bearing in place in its race.. think it went away in '87 maybe.. went to whats called a ratcheting gear case.. for a few years.. that is tha most desirable case.. tha ratio will be 1.87 ta 1 if it hasn't been changed...
jus for your info.. all 2.0, 2.4 and 2.5 gear cases (all years) will interchange as long as drive shafts are same "length".. 20", 25",30" etc. yours looks ta be a 25", considered an extra long or XL shaft.. for every extra 5 inches you just add a X.. XL=25", XXL=30".. plain ole "L" is standard 20"..