1969 Chevy K20 column shifter issue

[Christianad1156]

All,

I've been lurking and learning from you all for a little while now but I could use some extra help today.

I have a 1969 Chevy with an auto trans and tilt column. Yesterday, I tried to shift out of P but it seemed a little tough. When I moved from P to R, it was like the entire shifter and collar rotated more than it was supposed to past the normal R location but it shifted into gear. I went through N to D and they were both far more clockwise than they should be. I'm essentially out of room to go to lower gears if I wanted to. When I shifted back to P, the spot it settled on was too far clockwise. However, when going to P in the "new" location, I can rotate the shifter and collar counter-clockwise, without pulling the shifter toward me, to put the indicator where it should be. When I go back to shift to drive, it re-rotates too far and is out of position.

Does anybody have any ideas on what I should do to determine what the root issue is? Fingers crossed for needing to tighten something but I'm not usually that lucky.

I checked the mechanical linkage from under the engine to the trans and it all looks fine. The gears seem to shift fine its just the location and movement in the collar and shifter that is the problem.

That same day, when driving, I started getting a chirping from under the hood. It might be a belt rubbing somewhere but it was odd and happened at about the same time. I don't see how it could be related but I thought I'd mention it.

Thanks in advance for any help and ideas.

Christian