1986 johnson 150 shift linkage problem

[bradm454]

okay guys i am having trouble getting my shift linkage to work. i have a 1986 johnson 150 i just put a lower unit on. when i got everything done i found out that it wont go into forward but will go into reverse just fine. i removed the lower unit again and measured the shift shaft and adjusted it to the spec of 22 1/16 in neutral and once again put it back together and found it had the same problem and nothing had changed. i the noticed that it seemed like the shifter was binding. the binding seemed to be coming from the top not in the lower unit so i removed the bolt for the shifter and was able to move the shifter on the engine freely. i then put the bolt in without the shift rod attached and found it was still binding/hitting. i am at a loss here and cant seem to figure out how this is happening because all of that mechanizium is the same. its the same bolt and everything the only part i changed was the lower unit. please help!!!!!!