'87 Mariner shift shaft & gears not making sense (see photos)

[christopher425]

Hey everyone, I have a 1987 45hp 2stroke 4cyl Mariner motor. I changed the water pump and of course when I put it back on I was having shifting issues. With the lower head off, I decided to manually check the shift shaft while I had everything out. After doing some research, I determine the shifting positioned on the shaft, but my gears are not making sense. When I put it in REV it locks like it is supposed to with the prop catching in the CCW position and ratcheting in the CW position. NEU works like it is supposed to with prop spinning freely. When I turn the shaft all the way CW it clicks into FWD like it's supposed to, but the prop act like it's in REV. I'm FWD the prop ratchets in the CW position and locks in the CCW position. Almost like the opposite of what it should do. This has me stumped. Could this be a clutch dog issue? I was not having any issues with the shifting before I took the LH off to change the water pump. I know all the issues people have with the shifting cable, but the problem I'm having is totally independent of the cable. This is not hooked up to anything. It is the shaft directly being manually moved by me.

When I hook everything up to the upper unit, the prop will work fine in FWD and NEU, but REV there is no action. The throttle just increases with no prop spin.

I know this is simple mechanics and I generally know my way around small engines and gear such as this, but this doesn't make sense. I can hear the clutch dog engaging and it shifts fine and smooth, but it's like the directions aren't right between REV & FWD. I did not mess with the gear case at all.

Photos of the shaft and my prop to make sure I'm not overlooking something simple are attached. Any help is greatly appreciated!