LMFAO!!!!!!

I should have been a little more descriptive. He doesn't think the engine coupling is causing the delay, just found it while investigating the delay problem. I was the one wondering if it had anything to do with the delay.

Alignment tool is difficult to get to bottom out when pushed in. Had greased the tool to see which way the engine was out. Engine is out of alignment. Direction I'm heading is 1. Replace the engine coupling. 2. Replace the shift cable. 3. Realign the engine.
Again, all upper parts appear to be in good condition upon inspection.

When checking alignment with the tool take a dead blow hammer and rap the tool up, down, left and right firmly. This will ensure your gimbal bearing is properly aligned. Sometimes they get moved when removing the drive. Then check the sliding in and out action of the tool. A slightly cocked bearing can give you an out of alignment false reading.

So I would do that first. If its good, attempt to look in with a flashlight through the gimbal at the splines. In they are still square on the ends your good. If the alignment was out but the splines good, commence to aligning.

For my .02 on your original prob, a turn or two in the right direction of the shift cable barrel will most likely cure the problem.

cone clutch is worn replaced 2 already this year and did 4 last year all had the same complaint.