Simple question - starting in neutral

[Bayliner 1975]

Just purchased my 1975 Bayliner with a Mercruiser 165. I am very new to boats especially the outboard. The engine did not have battery or positive cable. Also the engine might be seize. I have but MMO in the cylinders and it has been soaking for days. Now I just want to bump the engine to see if it is seized. To do that I would assume the engine should be in neutral. Problem is that the shifter feels like it is disconnected. Also there is a cable that is disconnected which I assume is the shift cable since the carburetor throttle cable is attached. Prop only turn in one direction. My question(s) would be 1) if the boat is in neutral, the prop would spin freely in both directions correct? 2)Could some give me hint/tell me/attach a picture to where the shift cable attaches so I can put into neutral? I have looked but nothing jumps out at me.

 

[dwco5051]

If the end of the cable that goes to the control box from the outdrive is there try to move in in and out and keep checking for free wheeling with the prop. Getting at the end in the outdrive requires taking a lot of things apart. If you are jsut trying to see if the engine will rotate don't worry about it being in gear. Unless the lower end is damaged there is very little resistance to turning over the engine from the prop turning. Good luck, it sounds like you have a lot of work ahead.