I found the cause of the shifter rod problem... the bushing on the main tube fell out and caused the rod to pop off one of the ball joints. Judging by the large number of complaints I see about the stock shifter joints, I'd like to consider the heim joint conversion.
Do you guys believe this would hurt the value of the car as a collectible? If so, does anyone have part numbers or a source for the various rods and ends on the factory setup? I need the joint that has the 10mm threaded rod sticking out of it that threads into the tube. My joint is missing the insert that snaps onto the ball on the adjacent piece.
-Clark