I feel I owe it to this board and the members that read the posts. They have been very useful in solving my problems with the lower unit. However the manual and even suggestions here on the board did not point out the peculiarities of the cam shifter. The cam shifter is a staircased wedge that as it turns (you are shifting) moves the thrust rod which moves the clutch dog to get different gears. There is a pointy rod that rests on the cam. Over a period of 50 years this pointy rod wears a track on the cam preventing the rod from moving the gears into the right position. Mine had a definite wear line - like a cut ditch right on the cam. What happened to me was that I could not shift into reverse and get reverse. Reverse disappeared! I had done nothing just used the motor and the boat. After examining the manual, and looking at the disassembly of the lower unit - it detailed three ball bearings at the base of the thrust rod which moved the clutch dog.. The clutch dog gives the prop forward neutral or reverse. I did not have these bearings. Maybe they dissolved! ANYWAY, by putting 2 small washers in the base of the rod where the bearings were, it made up for the wear on the cam surface. And presto - I had Reverse again and even Forward gear!b I hope this post does not confuse anyone since these engines are marvels in themselves, but rather simple and exquisite machines.
