OK, well it seems like the shift linkage is loose somewhere in the engine…Did you have the gearcase off? It is not as easy as you would think to get that brass shift rod connector connected properly…Take the little cover off and have an assistant move the shift lever forward and back while you watch the connector….You should see either upper or lower shift rod moving even slightly within the connector.
Did you have the gearcase apart, or accidentally remove the shift lever pin (phillips screw) in the lower unit? Yes most of the 55 models did not have a removeable pin, but some might have it if the gearcase was replaced. If you had the gearcase apart, perhaps you didn’t get the internal shift fork linkage installed properly.
It is possible that the shift handle adjustment screw has come loose as well, or perhaps it is misadjusted. The shift lever and shift shaft are separate and are tightened in place with two screws. This is so a final adjustment can be made to align the clutch dog positioning with the vertical shift detent fork….
Finally, it is possible that the bellcrank on the end of the shift rod that connects the shift lever to the vertical shift rod is loose/worn/sloppy causing slop between the shift lever and vertical shift rod.
Hope it is something simple like a loose shift rod connector.
Don’t run the engine like this, clutch dog damage will occur…
