How to release shift rod to lower unit on 1987 30hp

There is a rubber seal on the top side of the shift linkage and a gasket under the case. You have to drop the lower unit to repair.

Look below lower mountings you will see the shift rod with along nut and a lock nut,undo long nut,do this with motor in reverse gear,some 40s have a stainless plate cover which you have to remove first

The small bolt that holds the shift rod in place has to be removed so the lower unit can be released. Nothing has to be removed from the shift linkage..just remove the shift rod bolt. The lower unit should be ready to be removed.

WHEN YOU REINSTALLED, AND REBOLTED THE SHIFT ROD...DID YOU PULL UP ON THE ROD TO MAKE SURE IT WAS EITHER IN
1.NEUTRAL
2.FORWARD
3.REVERSE
AS WHEN IT WAS DISASSEMBLED?

Under Lower Carburetor is a Bolt Going Through The Shift Rod Remove This Bolt--Then Undo All Bolts Holding The Lower Unit--The Lower Unit will Then Come Out Don't Turn The Shift Shaft As It Is Threaded And Will Change The Set Length,If You Do Have To Remove It Then Crew It Fully In Counting The No Of Turns So That You Can Set It Back To The Original Position
Good Luck

if you haven't fixed this already, take the pastic water pick up covers off there are two joiner nuts in there undo them, there is a plastic cone on each end take them off and it will slip through. I own the same model and year outboard.

goto local library get book on unit!!! :)