[hamjet]

Welcome, there are alot of helpful members here, you'll have no problem with answers with your problems. as far as the short throw on the shifter, you can move the shifter rods on the tranny end to holes further away from where they're bolted to the tranny.( hopefully it has multi-hole arms) That will give you a longer throw. As far as what its worth is all up to what you feel comfortable paying for it. By the way, nice 53, ( i'm partial to 53, the year I was born)