My plan for today was simple for today. I was going to install the short shifter. I knew that the clutch tube had been repaired because I could see it in the rear. After I got the console out is when the fun began. I pulled up the carpet and found 2 tunnel cuts. I peeked under the cuts and things looked good. I pulled the shifter and then found this mess.

The weld had broken and looked rubbed. I flipped the shifter over and found that they had ground the shifter lever. This explained why the shifter was stiff in reverse and first.

Now I will have to get the cutting wheel and burr grinder and cut center mess out.

Nice! Glad you found it so it can be repaired correctly. Another issue off the list.

Take the cable out while welding the tube....sorry to say.

It's very thin metal, so brazing it may be better if you have a torch.