Sorry - 1980, no bowden cable
...I actually have got it to shift in the setup, it just took the RPMs so high that I thought it would do more harm if I did not "manually" shift it.

Also, I did mention that there is no VCV in the image, I pulled it off to get a better look inside it.

ORV - indexing is not the likely issue, I have been using the "L" and "D" selection to get it to move through the gears.

Any one have input on the presence or absence of the green dashpot/dampener??? Too much pressure at the VCV?