Engine stuck in forward gear

[challenger88]

Hello. Anthony,
I hope things are well with you.
I was hoping you or someone could help me with a shifting question. I was on the lake Sunday and went to engage th engine. The engine revved but it did not engage in forward drive. I went to nuetral and then tried reverse. It did not engage right away either. I then tried forward one more time and it started to engage then stalled the engine when it engaged. I initially thought I was stuck in reverse but things happened so quickly I was actually in forward gear.
The control box would not let me shift into nuetral. i thought the control box might be the culprit but not sure anymore.
I removed the shift cable from the shift pin rather than monleying around with contol box. I thought I might be able to manually slide the shift pin into nuetral. I was able to set the control box back to nuetral and can see where the shift pin needs to line up.

This where I am stuck. I am not sure how to manual shift the motor. At the prop, I can spin the prop clockwisewith 1 finger. It makes a slight clicking noise kind of like it sounds when it is trying to engage. It does not spin counter clockwise. At the power head I can turn the flywheel clockwise with 2 hands and the prop spins clockwise. It is kind of hard to turn but I figure that's normal? Usually the starter or the rope is needed to spin the flywheel. I can't seem to get the shift pin to slide back to the nuetral position. I tried spinning the flywheel with my hand while trying to jiggle the shift pin towards the rear of the guide block but it doesn't seem to want to move. The shift pin attaches to a lever that is attached to the drive shaft ( I think). I wasn't sure if I should try to crank the engine and then try to slide the shift pin ?? something tells me that might be a bad thing?? Shouldn't I be able to shift into nuetral manually this way ? i.e moving the shift pin in the shift guide ?
Thanks for any tips or ideas.

[challenger88]

just wanted to add the angry face is just me being frustrated with me...didn't want you to think it was directed towards you.

[5 BASS LIMIT]

You should be able to shift it by turning the prop with your foot while using your hand to shift it. I would not advise starting it as you may do more damage than good.

[Thanks]

Thanks. I was able to able to free the shift pin. The prop spins freely.
I reattached the shift cable to the shift pin and it seems I am able to use the shifter on the box to move shift cable in fwd and reverse. Everything seems to be working but I noticed when I turn the flywheel, by hand, the prop still tuns.
I changed the lower unit lubricant and about a 1/4 cup of water came out with lube. I removed the prop down to the point where the prop shaft enters the caqrrier bearing bearing assembly. I truned the prop shaft a few times back and forth and a little water seemed to come out of the assembly. I think I must have a bad seal somewhere and water has been in the gear box. Its been several months since I changed lubricant, as I only go out 2-3 times a month. I must have developed a little corrosion down there.
I noticed on my last trip out the water coming out of my tell tale hole was a little less than normal so I had planned on having my water pump replaced. I guess when they have the foot off , I'll have to ask them to check all the gears and bearings....ouch.
I bought this boat 2 years ago...as kind of a project boat. Its a 1988 Challenger. The engine is a 1985 Mercury 90 hp. It has been trouble free for the 2 years I have owned it. I have never owned a boat so I am learning a lot. Other than keeping it lubed, and some minor wiring I haven't had any issues. I guess I'll have to chalk this one up to 'Things you should check on a more frequent basis'.

Thanks for the ideas.