lower unit
 

I am still trying to buy the same boat for about 3 weeks. You guys were a lot of help with the overheating problem. It just needed to be in the water, It overheated on the muffs. Thanks.......I have a problem with the forward gear.Sellers mechanic said it spun the forward gear???Seller said he asked around and they told him it could be the metal rod rusted out????It goes in reverce.....any help??? 1992 175hp 25" yamaha...:sad::sad::sad:

you very well could have a rotten shift shaft. If you look just above the gearcase where the speedo hose comes up you can see the shift shaft next to it. They usually rot out right above there. It looks like two pencil points. if you cant see it you can always remove the lower unit and verify the shifting by hand.

Very likely to be the shift rod is wasted. Drain the lower unit and look for metal shavings. A little bit on the drain plug magnet is normal but if it chewed up a gear you should be able to tell real fast.

Replacing the shift rod is not trivial but you can do it your self if you are handy. If not it probably wouldn't be economical to pay a pro mechanic to fix it.