I recently bought a boat with the mercury 15hp (4 stroke) installed. Motor was not been ran in years. I replaced the water pump and am having difficulty reconnecting the shift linkage. (this linkage ins external to the mid-section. Outboard data is 1999, 15 ML 4ST, Serial# 0G821893. The shift lever is not on the tiller. Does this lever need to be in gear or neutral and the same with the gearbox when reconnecting the turnbuckle? Any advice (direction) would be appreciated.
