What should shifter action "feel like" with column out of truck?

[vetnat]

Hi. I have a 1961 GMC that I am putting (what I think is) a '67 column in, so I can have the collapsible shaft. After rebuild, I have my column back together, but not in the truck, also the steering shaft is not in it either. And by back together, I mean I am going to have to take it apart again tomorrow, because I forgot the rubber ring and thrust washer between the shifter and turn signal housings. Anywho, I have no idea what the "shifter action" should feel like. I bought the column off ebay. It had no shift lever when I got it, had been used in a floor shift truck before I got it I think. The column I am replacing in my truck was installed by PO and never did shift the gears after he put it in. And I have actually never driven any vehicle with a 3OTT. So, I have no clue what this should feel/work like, especially out of the truck.

Should the shift lever return to "neutral position" on its own, when you stop pulling it towards you? Right now it stays wherever I leave it. Also, how much should the shift tube move when you pull shifter towards you? Mine seems to move 1/2" at the most, probably less than that. And finally, when I look through the hole where the reverse light switch goes, I can only see a portion of the tang moving into the hole, not the entire width of the tang. Oh, BTW, I kind of mangled the reverse light switch when I was disassembling the column. Does the switch part "click" into on or off positions? I am guessing it returns to off position by itself when shifted out of reverse? Mine feels gummy when returning??

I am suspecting I have some sort of problem with my column as I have assembled it? I do believe the lower bearings are different for floor or column shift, I might have the wrong lower bearing. Could this be my problem? Sorry for babbling on, kind of frustrated.