Automatic shift linkage woes (C4) Ideas?

[cdherman]

Nearing the end of PS upgrade and swap to automatic tranny. Put in a C4, and I have a PS automatic column from about 70.

I could not find the correct C4 linkage, so I am trying to use the Lokar aftermarket one.

All seemed well -- I made some bends and cut it to length.

Here is the problem: When I adjust it so that P is correct, it enters R at about N, D at about 2, 2 at about 1 and I cannot get it into 1.

If I adjust it so that I can get it into 1, I cannot get it back into P.

There is some play in the shift arm, but not too much (perhaps 3/16"). I have another column and it has about the same amount of play. Both the columns have been completely disassembled and the parts "look" OK to me.

The shift arm on the tranny is a truck shift arm, has a Ford part # that starts with "DO" so I think its a correct 1970 part. At least the tranny place was confident and he's in his 60s and seems like the sort of guy that would know.

If it is too much play, I was thinking of drilling a new hole on the tranny shift arm, a little "shorter" on the arm, so that the radius of the shift is reduced -- that would make the distance the linkage needs to travel for PRND21 less and hopefully get me closer to acceptable. Does that sound reasonable?

Any ideas are welcome -- and if you have a C4 shift arm linkage for sale, that I would pay dearly for.