OK, will try to address your questions. First, I just want to confirm that the control box/cables work easily/freely when disconnected from the engine…
Try this… Pop the horizontal rod out of the plastic coupling on the timer base, now try to move the throttle arm throughout its complete motion. That spring is pretty heavy making a little tough to push the throttle lever by hand, which is normal. Once the throttle arm is advanced fully, release it, the spring should carry it back almost to the closed position without having to help.
It would appear as though your timer base is stiff under the flywheel. Trying to spray lube under there probably won’t accomplish much, you will need to remove the flywheel and stator in order to get at the timer base. The timer base has a bushing that fits onto the upper bearing housing along with a plastic bushing bearing. Once cleaned up and freed up, the timer base brass busing is lubed with OMC moly lube, and the plastic bushing is lubed with outboard oil…
This engine has the gearcase with hydraulic “assist”, sometimes it can be tough to push that little lever completely into forward/reverse gear. Be sure to spin the prop while trying to shift as well…
