Info needed please!!

Hello folks, i recently bought a 1959 aluma craft with original <rebuilt> 1959 evinrude 35 hp, outboard <lark> the guy i bought it from had did most of the repairs, and did a fair to medium job i must say. the only major problem im haqving is when putting the motor in forward gear it makes a pretty loud ticking sound almost like halfway in gear but will not thrust forward, in reverse does fine? i havent adjusted the cables yet (steering throttle linkages etc) 1 mechanic saqid it could be the dawg for thr forward gear??? sorry but it sounded like he was speaking in swaheli to me i haqve no idea what he meant , ill order the parts an do the labor myself i just need to know what the problem COULD be and what to check first before replacing entire lower unit, id hate to lose this evinrude because it runs very good any and all info or help would be very appreciated, GOD BLESS AND THANKS IN ADVANCE!!! Ray

disconnect the remote cables first to confirm they are not yhe problem