Compression check in Hydroelectric Drive stuck in gear

[Exuma]

How is the best way to check compression in a 1969 Johnson 85 Hydroelectric Drive V4 that is stuck in gear. I believe it is a dead solenoid but don't want to bother if the compression is bad. My thought was to take the bottom end off. Is there a better way? If the solenoid is dead is there no way to manually get it out of forward to neutral so it will spin? I don't see many of these solenoids on the market at all. If one or both are bad can they be found. Amplifier looks cracked as well, Yea! I've heard that 120-125 PSI is good. At what point is it not worth keeping? below 100PSI?

Thank you for any assistance received.

Going on a 69 Boston Whaler 16'

 

[Faztbullet]

Its always in gear till engine starts, then hydraulic pressure from pump shifts it to neutral. Don't give over $500 for it.....

 

[racerone]

It will shift to neutral after one crankshaft rotation if throttle lever is in neutral.----prop may still turn due to oil dragging.

 

[Exuma]

The shift cable is toast so I'll need to shift by hand. Will it get into neutral even if I can't bump using the battery or is the V4 too hard to test compression by manual cranking (rope). There is no telling if they used C type oil or not. I'd like to take the bottom off anyway to see what I have, change water pump, etc. bought it more for the hull than anything but I like the idea of using the V4 if possible. I may put 12V on the solenoid just to see if I hear a click down there. They may not be dead after all. Manual arrived last night.

 

[F_R]

The solenoids DO NOT shift the motor, they only operate a couple of valves in the oil pump. Hydraulic pressure shifts the motor. The pressure comes from an oil pump. The oil pump is not rotating if the motor is not running, so no oil pressure = no shift. It is always in forward gear if not running or some other failure. None of this has anything to do with checking compression.

 

[boobie]

As said above, you can check your compression without the lower unit working as long as the motor spins over. Get that checked before you stick any money in the lower unit.