Shift coupler bushings, can you buy the correct ones? Options

[JWest]

On a side-shift 914 the coupler sits inside a boot just behind the firewall. The orginal bushings in these couplers had a round hole that was a nice fit on the internal pin. The 911 uses the same type coupler, only it has a short shaft sticking out instead of the long bar used in the 914. The bushings are interchangable, though.

At some point, some genious at Porsche decided that the coupler bushings should have oval holes, adding axial slop to the shift linkage.

I have been looking into the bushings lately, and it seems that all the suppliers have quit carying the round hole style - you have to use the crappy oval one now. Pelican says NLA on the 914 style but the 911 style will work "fine." As if these cars don't shift bad enough, we have to add more play to them!

I have worked up a replacement to take care of this slop (to go with my shifter), but I don't want to bother if the proper bushings are available from somewhere.

The ultimate solution is to weld a u-joint in place of the coupler, but I can't provide that reasonably because the whole rear shift rod is attached. I recommend it if you can do it yourself, though. I think Brad mentioned he collects the steering u-joints to use for this.

So, has anyone bought the correct bushings lately?