89' Johnson 25 Horsepower....shift rods !@#$

[HotcakesLTA]

I saw the earlier post on the 75 horsepower motor...what is the easiest way to get the 2 rods together again....I replaced my water pump this weekend, I cannot get the 2 shift rods together all the way....is there a trick to this or do I need a special tool?...I have a selocmarine manual...I only have reverse gear now...it will go into forward, but the boat doesn't go anywhere....there is water coming out of the "pee hole" so I know the new pump is working....I know that the top rod is NOT in all the way...what is the trick?

 

[marinemech1]

Re: 89' Johnson 25 Horsepower....shift rods !@#$

the two shift rods are connected inside the water pick up there should be a nut and a plastic retainer on the rods with out retainer unit will not shift