35hp merc lower unit questions

[racerdonnie13]

I have a 1965mercury 35hp (merc 350) it was working fine last year when i parked it. I pulled it out yesterday and it fired right up but would not go into either gear. everything looked good up top so i pulled the gearcase. The shift shaft that goes down into the lower unit seems stuck, i cant turn it by hand. I put an inverted torx on it with some pb blaster and got it to turn Somewhat in both directions. How far should it turn, and should i be able to turn it by hand? As i turned it i was able to get all 3 gears (by turning the prop). Thanks for the help

 

[Chinewalker]

The only reason your shift rod would seize up like that would be rust inside the gear case. What does your oil look like? Getting it to shift might the least of your worries.

 

[racerdonnie13]

when i went to drain the oil, there wasnt any in there. I took it to a friends house and did a pressure test on it and it all checked out ok. It held 10lbs for over an hour. Not sure how the oil leaked out. The cavity in the back where the shift shaft is had alot of salt / sand in it and the drain holes were clogged. I freed the shift shaft up and put it back together tonite and now it shifts, although i have to go past the detent where its supposed to engage it in gear and go a little farther before it will engage.