Need help, shift shaft height for 1996 15 hp Evinrude

[Dryfly5300]

I was checking the water pump and can't get the shift shaft back in correctly on my 1996 Evinrude two stroke.
If anyone has the height the shift shaft height, it would super helpful.
Did not expect to have this issue, got it done once before, but now it is off...
Thank you very much, trying to get to Canada and decided to change out impellor and project has gone south.

 

[racerone]

The lower shift rod MUST be screwed in all the way then backed out so bend faces forward.------And the notch in the shift rods MUST be lined up with the hole in the connector BEFORE you put the screw in.----It really is as simple as that.

 

[Dryfly5300]

Thank you

The lower shift rod MUST be screwed in all the way then backed out so bend faces forward.------And the notch in the shift rods MUST be lined up with the hole in the connector BEFORE you put the screw in.----It really is as simple as that.

Thank you very much, so does the height of the brass connector matter?

 

[racerone]

????----Post #2 is very clear I believe.----No mention of any measurement.