914 side shifter revers lockout? Options

[robicurp]

Hello all,
I'm trying to get my 74 914-6 conversion on the road.
I'm experiencing crappy shifting. It's really hard to shift from first to second without a painful crunch when it nicks reverse. Sometimes I do it right and get a smooth gear change.
my shifter bushings, (that I know about) are in good shape or new.
I saw this lockout plate on the Pelicanparts site.
Can anyone tell me where this thing goes? Did my car come with one? do I need it?

Thanks,
Curtis

[robicurp]

Wow, Thanks to everyone for all the great advise. I have alot to look into next week end.
As requested, here are a couple of pictures of my 914. I have the engine and trans out of it at the moment to fix a leak at the crank pulley. the seal was apparently damaged when it was installed.
It should be moving under it's own power again next week end.

A little info:
it's a 74. I traded for it as an unfinished conversion.
2.2 litre 6 with webbers
headers - no heat.
Fortunately it already had the flares and nice paint. I spend the last 11 months welding up rust holes, installing stiffening kit, brakes, sway bar plus lots and lots of other stuff. It has definitely been a learning experience.
There's tons of work left to do before I'll be satisfied with it, but autocross season is starting soon and I need to be ready. I can dig into it again this winter.