18hp xd 1985 mercury Gear switch selector

[GaDawg2011]

would like to know if im right here i have the motor and it will go in reverse but will not go in to foward! also trying to find some pics on what it is suppose to look like

[Texasmark]

A little engine history would help. Usually someone has removed the lower unit to do servicing, like replace the impeller in the water pump, and upon reassembly didn't get the lower unit shift lever lined up in the proper gear with the shift lever and hence had that exact problem.

Mark