1985 Big Red 250es shift assembly/orientation

[Floridaguy]

Good evening all, I am in need of some help with a BR 250es engine I purchased recently. First thing I did was break the engine down or what was left to be broken down and disassembled to do a visual inspection if you would, some of it was missing which I was aware of so I will be in the classifieds section very soon . So thus far I have learned the shifter splines are gone so I managed to find one online. In the meantime waiting for that to come in the mail I submerged the engine is diesel fluid hoping to loosen and gunk or debris that might have found its way inside I got weeds and muck out of her. After popping the both side covers unbeknownst to me the is a arm on the opposite side of the shifter that must be taken note of when separating the case so my dilemma now what do I do now. Is there a neutral position that I must find now, how does one go about this? I attached pictures below. Thanks in advance.