Is the pinion gear always engaged with the forward gear, even if I shift to reverse?

Question

I have a early 80'smodel Chrysler 7.5 outboard motor.

I'm trying to reassemble thg gearcase, and understand how the shifting works. The book I have isn't really clear.

Answer 1

yes.  (disclaimer:  chrysler might've done some funny stuff with the designs on these motors, but virtually all outboards operate like this).

the drive gears ride freely on the propshaft without splines, engaged with the pinion gear full time.  They spin whether you're in forward, neutral or reverse.

The clutch dog is splined on the prop shaft between the forward & reverse gears.  The gearshift moves the dog cradle forward or aft to engage forward or reverse gear.

Answer 2

Jtexas is right.  Your Chrysler works that way. It's the clutch dog that moves.