Question on Mercury Lower Units: 80' 2.4 200 lower swap to 2001 opti lower

[NoRdO]

Hey folks,

New to the scream and fly community and have a question about mercury lowers for my 80' 200 black max.

I recently trashed the lower that came with the motor, it was the ratcheting style with 2.0 gear ratio. I got a great deal on a replacement from a 2001 Optimax w/ 1.87 ratio and now have issues with reverse. I can tell that the lower will shift fully into reverse however when attempting to shift with the current controls, the shift cable won't travel far enough to fully engage the dog gears. Does anyone have any tips or tricks for correcting this. I really like this new lower with the taller gears. I can tel it is a different style because the old one had the preload pin at the top of the drive shaft and this one doesn't... It seems like the linkage needs to travel further when compared to the old unit... Is there a different linkage I can throw on to correct for this?

[TEXAS20225]

linkage are same try putting it in gear with the shift cables completely off of it . if it will go in gear forward and reverse via the lever only then it could be adjustment trouble several,other things

[WillySteve]

Adjust the barrel on the shift cable at the power head 1st! The control box will have the same travel unless it's wore out!