Re: Going wrong direction
First off, what size engine? Second, are you positive the lower unit you have is a 1980?
I can think of two likely possibilities (neither of which involves you doing anything wrong). For 2 or 3 years around '76 OMC made hydraulic shift assist gearcases where the actual shifting was accomplished through the use of an oil pump inside the gearcase, the shift rod wend down to go into forward. OR you got your hands on a counter rotating lower unit (again, shift rod goes down to shift into forward).
On "normal" gearcases you'd pull the shift rod up, rotate the driveshaft clockwise (looking down at the gearcase), and the prop will rotate clockwise as viewed from the rear.
One word of warning, my experience is with V4's and V6's. Since you didn't specify what engine you have you'll have to suffer through reading my reply even if it's not pertinent.
