49 Mercury overdrive transmission assembly question

[Dick Webber]

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For years I have been accumulating parts to change my stock 49 Mercury to overdrive.

The completed unit is assembled but with cover off it turns freely in neutral but will only shift into second. When shifting to high, low or reverse it will only turn a few degrees.

The 28 tooth cluster appears New and has the right tooth count. I have have checked the tooth count on all gears. I disassembled and reassembled to check for errors and found none. The overdrive turns freely and will free wheel with lever forward.

After I put it together again today it did the same thing. I'm no mechanic but I've done this a dozen times over 60 years. Had the shop manual in front of me.

I'm stumped. Anyone have any ideas?