TOPIC: What's wrong with my shift linkage?

When I went to install my lower unit today on my 75hp flying Scott I couldn't get the shift linkage to work right. The brass holder that screws the top and bottom linkages together is in the right spot, meaning the top and bottom rods are screwed in it correctly. The problem is that when I put the unit on all the way the rod lever is offset too much and won't shift all the way into reverse. When the LU is hanging down about 1/2" it works perfectly and I can see all the gears shift as well as the lever lines up correctly at 12 o'clock.
What am I doing wrong here?

Motor in neutral with LU down a little

.

Still in neutral with the LU all the way up

question, did it work before? was it hard to remove, is it a doner lower unit?

It was disassembled when I bought it. It appears they are both original but who knows?

If I remember correctly, they used 3 different size shift rods , but much different in length, I would try to tighten the shift rod in the lower unit first, just turn the rod clock wize GENTLY, what year is this engine? are the drain-fill screws big or small?

It's a 61 or 62. I'm not sure the screw size reference but I think they are big.