Reversewonbt engageforward and N are okayrevs high in R

"Help me Jesus, Help me Tom Cr

"Help me Jesus, Help me Tom Cruise! Bought an 82' Mercury from my uncle. Was finially plaining out okay and was sort of snapping into reverse, now it won't go into reverse at all, just the RPMS are high. Could this be cables, or am I stuck needing work on the lower gear unit replacing the reverse gear? Forward still okay, not great. Thanks- Billie"

"Billie,
It will help to know

"Billie,
It will help to know what the size of the motor is. Tyr disconnecting the remote shift cable at the engine. With the engine off try shifting the gears into forward and reverse while turning the prop with your foot. Watch for any loose linkage.
The prop should lock if the gears are working.
If the prop does lock in forward and reverse the shift cable has a problem.
If the prop doesn't lock there is a problem with either the linkage or the gear set.
Since you didn't say what this motor is I'm thinking it's a small to mid size outboard."

"Thanks Not-Me...it's an 8

"Thanks Not-Me...it's an 85 hp, a 1975 Mercury, not an 82 like I thought. 82 was the year of the Silverline boat. Oopps, guess I have a lot to learn yet."