1972-73 mercury 800 80hp problems

[Taylor]

I am having a couple of problems with the engine on my boat...its a 1972 mercury 800 80 hp thunderbolt ignition. there seems to be a problem with my shift cables or something because it does not engage into reverse and will not disengage out of forward. also it is real loose shifting into forward and there is hardly any speed when going forward...any ideas of what this could be or where, if needed, i could get new shift cables or controls? also there seems to be a slight fuel drip from somewhere inside the engine underneath a carburator....please help if you can...thanks..

[boats.net]

It's hard to say, try disconnecting shift cable from engine and shift engine by hand if it's wont shift there the problem may be in gearcase.