Mercury 150HP not shifting following L/U installaion

[gleaseball]

I recently replaced the water pump on my 1991 Mercury 150 Outboard. The replacement went well (pulling the L/U, etc.), but when I started the motor up I could not shift gears out of Forward (unit was in forward with the L/U was pulled). Linkage is fine. Even when I disconnect linkage and adjust gear shifting by hand at the motor it does not click and does not seem to have any affect. Not sure if this has to do with the drive shaft or what. Any advice would be appreciated. Engine will start, but obviously it is stuck in forward.

 

[Dukedog]

Re: Mercury 150HP not shifting following L/U installaion

Might as well drop it again and start over. Need ta try tha gears with it off. Is it tha XR4 or tha 2.0 150? Original gearcase?

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Mercury 150HP not shifting following L/U installaion

Drop the gearcase again. Now set the throttle handle to neutral. Now turn the lower shift shaft CCW until it finds neutral. Now reassemble. Grease all splines. You may need to rock the throttle handle to mate the shift splines.