Thank you for the info. I have finally had a chance to get back under the car.

On both of the transmissions the levers are all oriented the same. 2 in one direction, one in the other direction. I put a magnet all over both & it wont stick anywhere except bolts...i dont know if this is a good test for the iron trans or not. I just dont get how there could be that much difference in the throw from one trans to the next if they are the same style. The friend that helped me check this out said we could modify the length of the rod. Good idea?

I called another shop quite a ways from here & he said the shifter could be worn out as well as bushings & need replaced. Would that really make such a dramatic difference?

Any thoughts? Thanks!