Shifter is fixed, I combined the best parts of the two good ones, then used 12 dimes to replace the worn out rubber bushings!
pic of that below. made a huge difference in shift feel, I love it. I will have to have some brass bushings made, but for now, the dimes get the job done nicely.
I have identified the problem with the transmission. I forgot several tiny crucial parts when I put the thing back together. took the whole thing apart, reassembled it, and realized I had spaced an important snap ring, so now I have to do the whole thing again. Around 5pm today I was extremely irritated and had to go for a walk before I did something destructive to the car.
Replaced both supply and return lines with rubber stuff from autozone, they were both actually broken right above the rear subframe.
next issue resolved today is that the oil cooler sprung a leak down by the hose attachments. that had to come out, O-rings had to be replaced, and some RTV grey for good measure put in.