77 mercruiser neutral switch will go in only if throttle is in forward or reverse pos

ptsbug

Cadet
Joined
Aug 3, 2008
Messages
6
removed the drive from our 1977 Century with a mercruiser 228 to inspect and lube last year and ran out of time to put back on until now.
If I remember correctly, I had the throttle set for reverse when I removed the outdrive.
The outdrive went back on relatively easy with a problem that has me scratching my head.
The black knob at the throttle pivit point (neutral safety) would not go back in, I was able to move the throttle forward to a point where is stops at a detent which I believe is forward idle, the knob would then go back in.
I can also get the knob to go in when I move the throttle to the reverse idle detent.
Unable to push the knob back in if the throttle is at the 12 o:clock position where it would normally be when starting the boat.
I have not attempted to start the engine and thought perhaps I messed up when I put the outdrive back on.
Any suggestions?
Something not lined up when I put the drive back on?
 
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