The parts of the shift linkage and are under the very rear of the car... Catch alot of road crud, dirt, etc, I cleaned mine off today while thinking of that top starter bolt but now I wonder???????? Lube?? With?? How often? Thanks, Bob

.....My rule is.......anything outside the boots or protective cover(don't lube) bushings lightly with, silicone or white lithium
and I've never had issues concerning this!!(decades)

You don't say what year car or what kind of transmission...
Tailshift cars are supposed to have a black plastic shroud around the linkage bits.
Like most '70's plastic these didn't fare well with north American UV and ozone.
They were also kinda fragile to start with, and held in place only by a rubber O-ring (that wasn't any more exposure-proof than the enclosure).

They've been NLA for years, but you might have a look at the parts book to see what they once looked like. I always thought you might be able to make some kind of shield / bag out of a chamois or something.

Those parts were originally greased, and the shroud kept the grease in and the grit out.

75 2L No plastic thingy on mine, not at all hard to reach, could be cleaned and lubed in nice slacks and shirt. Bob

Aha. Sideshift. I don't know nothin' 'bout no sideshifters.

Side shifter should have covers over all the moving/sliding bits.

There should be a rubber boot on the firewall bushing that covers the connector.

There should be a large 4"x4"x2' black plastic cover that goes on the side shift mechanism.

Buy them both, lube the bits that slide and don't worry about it.

I hope that helps.