Re: Shift lever on 3.5hp nissan
3.5 HP shift levers usually sticks heavily with salt inside bushing if not lubed once in a while, to fully acces it need to remove the carrying handle (2 bolts) remove 2 small middle lid screws, inside will find a plastic shift rod lever that hooks onto shift lever extreme, remove screw that holds lever against rod lever. Spray W40, carb cleaner, brake fuid overdose there and at both extremes of shift lever bushing, let soak to penetrate, apply again.
Rotate lever back and forth while grabbing lower lever body to pull lever out, repeat untill lever gives. The hard sticking issue is due because the lever has 2 small orings to prevent water getting in, but they do let some water in, add dried/hardened grease and salt formations there and definitely will have a future sticky problem.
Will need tons of patience to pull shift lever out, as you don't want to break lever body next to internal bushing. Once out will recommend to file internal bushing with small particle metall sandpaper including lever arm, remove both o rings to file. Apply a generous amount of good salt water grease and assemble in reverse order. When 3.5 engines comes to our shop for maintenance both orings are removed, next time the lever will come out much easier. Good Luck!!
BTW, there's a spring and small ball at lower lever that locks forward gear and neutral in place, be aware that could pop off and get lost when removing lever out..
Happy Boating
