Mercury 1983 50 hp outboard with Teleflex cables on 1988 SunTracker pontoon boat. Out of water and engine not runnung when I put controller in forward prop spins in one direction only as per testing instructions. When I shift into reverse, prop spins both ways. I adjusted cables to the limit and still does not engae. I do not want to put in water until I Know reverse works. Does motor have to run to get into reverse, even thogh prop doesn't spin in reverse if I use "muffs" and run motor. Forward seems to work fine.
already disconnected cables and it is hard to manually move lever into reverse. Forward is OK. Shifter moves freely when disconnected. Just hoping it's no the lower unit. How 'bout low fluid level in lower unit? What would that do, I forgot to replace that.