I decided to check out the shifter mechanism in the center tunnel. In discussions with various folks, it was suggested that there was some sort of detente in the bottom of the shifter box itself to assist with holding the shifter shaft position, at least in Pantera there is.
Well short story is that there isn't anything in the shifter box of a Goose except for the shifter lever, a rubber seal of sorts, and a rubber boot. Oh and the pivot bolt and nut.
Here is what I found, full of some soft, but a lot of caked grease...
The shaft in the trans tunnel looks like this (all cleaned up...)
You really can get this apart in the car. But you must move the lever towards the rear in order to get the shaft out of the way so that you can lift the box up to get at the bolt and nut!
SO, I put it all back together with fresh grease, and found that with grease the shifting is rather slow....perhaps lighter oil would have worked better..... You must be careful tightening the center pivot bolt. TOO much will make shifting impossible or difficult, so "just enough" is enough! Too tight? back it off one flat at a time until your lever movement feels better....
Will comment more once I get a chance to drive it!
Steve