Re: lower unit shift shaft.. HOW do you put it in forward?
Well first thing, your controls and lower unit must both be in agreement,i.e,both nuetral etc. There is no need to place the lower unit in any particular shift mode to install it,but some remove and install with controls and unit in reverse. This is mainly so you can rotate the driveshaft via the prop to help align the driveshaft. Now if you want to shift your lower unit find the shift shaft at the fwd end of the unit,it is splined and short. Place a rag over the splines and apply rotational force with a pair of vice grips or similar to change gears. Note it will only be a short distance between gears and you should hear or feel a clunk when it reaches the next position. Nuetral will see the prop spin freely in both directions, in fwd, resistance one way and clicking the other way,and in reverse, resistance in both directions. Good luck
