Test your anode with an ohmmeter. It must have a solid connection. I looked at a guy's badly deteriorated lower unit last summer; he still had the plastic floor model fake anode in place and it looked great. Been there since 1982!
Your shift rod enters the engine compartment exactly centered between the port and starboard sides and under the rear of the carburetors, whereit attaches to a lever that moves it up and down. The lever is released by removing pin or clip and pulling the rod to starboard, I think, but am not sure..