lower shift shaft positioning for gear selection

[Hatch19]

Need some help. Having issues with shifting into F N or R when outdrive is installed. Pulled the outdrive off and the lower shift shaft does not seem to rotate the same direction as the shift lever shaft (?). Standing over the outdrive facing the bow the positions engages as follows -

12:00 Forward
~1:00 Neutral
~2:00 Reverse.

The shift cable and shift lever shaft seems to operate opposite.

Cable in Forward the shaft is at 12:00
Cable in Neutral the shaft is at 11:00
Cable in Reverse the shaft is at ~10:00

Also - New lower shift cable and slide have been installed. With outdrive off the cable moves freely. When outdrive is installed, cable does not want to move at all. Outdrive slides on and off easy and not forced together.

Edit - Prior to replacing the shift cable I was able to at least get forward.

How can I solve for this??

Alpha one Gen 2 - 3.0 Mercruiser

 

[2004 searay]

is it possible this a reverse rotation drive?

 

[Bt Doctur]

This is the correct way it turns. If yours is reversed the shaft was not located correctly when the drive was split,
If this is a Alpha GEN II counter rotation than what you describe is correct

split the drive, turn the splined shaft fully clockwise while turning the prop CCW
This is forward. set upper unit on making sure the brass shaft locates in a straight line.

 

[Hatch19]

This is the correct way it turns. If yours is reversed the shaft was not located correctly when the drive was split,
If this is a Alpha GEN II counter rotation than what you describe is correct

split the drive, turn the splined shaft fully clockwise while turning the prop CCW
This is forward. set upper unit on making sure the brass shaft locates in a straight line.

This was the answer. Thank you!! Issue obviously occurred when I split the lower off. Messed with it today and 30 mins later now it’s shifting smoother than an oil slick.