OK, so I bought a new column for my 68 f-250 since the one it was damaged from extreme neglect. I started to paint the new column and noticed that slot on the collar for the shift tab on the shift tub had cracked on one side. So I went to grab the other one and that one too is broken. Is this a common occurrence? I have only looked at 2 collars, but I'm 0-2. What are the chances?

I believe the collar is aluminum, so I cannot weld it. Even if it's not aluminum, I don't think it could be welded, at least not by me

. This SUCKS!
68 F-250 CS, 360 or 390?, still haven't measured the stroke, AUTO running on propane!