customizing side shift rod on conversion motor, Can't seem to get all five gears and reverse Options

[computers4kids]

The chevy motor that I have put in my car has a custom oil pan that protrudes on the sides quite a bit which inteferes with the stock side shifter rod.

The bow in the rod hits the oil pan and prevents the rotation that is required to get all the gears. I've have unsuccessfully cut and altered the shift rod to clear the pan...can't seem to get it to get all the gears including reverse. Yes, I've also adjusted the shifter in the cabin.

Anyway, I'm thinking about ditching the custom oil pan for a stock one so I won't have to deal with rod hitting. I have another un-altered shift rod that I can put in there with the stock oil pan and all should be good (still have to add 1 1/4 inch in length)...like I did originally in this pic. I've welded and bent this rod so much I need to start over with a fresh rod.


Here is my question: It's pretty much a straight shot with a stock oil pan from the shaft that exits the car and the transmission...no heat exchangers etc in the way that the factory had to bend the rod around (similar to a straight shot like the tailshifter rods). If I take a straight piece of rod and add the correct ends on it I'm thinking the shifting would be cleaner. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/idea.gif) or am I wasting my time?

Is the best way to deterimine the correct total length to make a shift rod is by putting the transmission in neutral and the cabin shifter in the neutral postion and make the rod that length? I'm assuming with a straight rod that should rotate and correctly engage all the gears.