problem getting my 88 50 hp into gear

[earlwiggins]

i just purchased a boat with a 1988 50 hp envinrude for $350.the previous owner said that on his last outting he could not get the motor to engage in forward or reverse.i bought the boat so cheap for this reason.I get it home and sure enough could not get it to engage from the controls so i took the linkage cables off from the lever on the engine and pushed the lever forward as far as it would go to finally get the prop to lock in gear and not free spin.i did this in both directions.When the prop locks in gear it stays locked,when in neutral it free spins with no noise.i could not keep the motor running long enough to engage while running due to carbs needing rebuilt.Any advice would be appreciated.the old boats not worth putting a ton of money in the motor.Thanks for any help.

[Elton Smith]

Some times if the shift linkage is not properly connected,or bent and out of line it will do that.

[earlwiggins]

thanks so im thinking its worth getting it checked out?