Need help with a 1970 6 HP Johnson

I just changed the impeller on my 1970 6HP Johnson yesterday but i'm having trouble getting it back together. You have to put the gear in forward (pull it all the way up) and the shift lever to reverse in order to secure the shift linkage to the gear. When you do that I can't get the gear case closed all the way. The shift lever is in reverse but the gear is in forward. Please help. I would rather not pay $80 an hour to get this fixed. There has to be a trick.

Hello.,

Go to this web site for your model engine. It has a wealth of information. Hopefully this helps you fix the problem and maintain the engine moving forward...

https://www.leeroysramblings.com/OMC_6hp.htm

Thanks for the help. Got it back together and running good.