Forward and reverse

[Dale18]

Could the shifter coupling be bad?

 

[Chris1956]

Remove the cable clamp from the engine and push the shift slider back. If she then shifts into reverse, the shift shaft coupler is likely good. Now see if the MerControl will push the shift slider as far as you pushed it with your hand. If not, the MerControl could be bad or still out of adjustment.

 

[merc850]

It's possible that the upper shift shaft has twisted especially if is on a motor that has been sitting in salty or highly acidic water for 40+ years. This happened to me it will go F - N but because it's twisted there isn't enough travel to reach R. I bought another motor with a perfect shaft for a replacement; they are sometimes available from a dealer.