More progress pictures.
Photo 1 shows the shifter insert and bronze bushing I purchased to remove slack in the shifter, just before machining the bushing to fit inside the shifter rod assembly.
Photo 2 shows the insert, modified bushing, and shift rod at the rocker ball end.
Photo 3 show the modified shifter ready on the drill press to drill the hole in the modified bushing insert for the roll pin to hole the assembly together.