Hi, I am new to this site and am having a problem. I have a 40 hp evinrude 1996 model. While replacing the water pump, I removed the screw that holds the shifter on at the lower foot, big goof, should have bought the book than I would have known it comes off at the top under the starter. I have removed the foot and shifter rod and reinstalled the fork in the shifter dog and here is the problem: I can have forward and neutral or reverse and neutral or just plain neutral. I have not put oil back in the foot, so is this the problem does it have to have oil in the foot in order for it to shift from forward to reverse, or is it somthing that has come loose and will have to be torn down to be fixed. I have not tried to crank the motor, I have just been turning it by hand. By the way I have book comming but I may not have tools to do this job if it has to be torn down. Any help would be appreciated.
