When I removed my shifter, I noticed what looked like a small amount of 37 year old grease on the bottom of the shift ball, and maybe a little on the springs.

I ran across this picture on ebay today, exactly the same as mine. But I cleaned mine up.

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So is it or was it grease? Anyone have an opinion on what type I should use, where to put it. any other locations than the dried up stuff here, and how much in each area?

Axle grease strategically globbed, or maybe some silicone spray in and around the same area, and re-apply down the boot yearly?

brake cleaner works fine. i just use bearing grease. gobbing it up just holds more crap. in that picture, note the wear on the lever where it contacts the detent plate. might be my screen but the plate looks to be worn in the middle. if/while yours is apart replace the 2 plastic bushings that cradle the lever ball. one of them can be seen in the photo.