Need 717.4xx manuals/diagrams whatever.
 

My *new* 717.431 had a safety pin (wierd looking cotter pin) attached to the magnet when I drained it. Syncros in 2nd are completely absent, looking to fix this myself. I have the 4spd manual(book) but not the 5spd.

Don't know if you mean the synchros were not installed... or have ' worn ' out.. and are gone..
There are threads in the past where one of our moderators talks about some trans fluids being corrosive to synchros... Jim Smith...
Either way you will want to put the proper spec lube in when you put everything back together...

Does it look like a piece of mechanics wire? Post a pic, sounds like a piece of a synchro spring

There's actually quite a big difference between the lower numbered 717.4XX gearboxes and the ones starting from 717.41X - I'm not sure how different the 717.43X versions became.

Here's my 717.412 in bits and then put back together again

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/341253-717-412-5-speed-manual-gearbox-refresh.html

If you send me your email address (PM / direct email via this site) I might be able to help a bit more.