Went to his shop today and disconnected the shift rods while it was on the lift. That trans shifts smooth as butter with a wrench on the tabs.
So started looking and asked if he had loosened the stops up when he set the rods. Answer 'it doesnt have stops" Of course it has stops- I pointed them out and loosened them, had him sit in and we ran through the shift pattern together, starting at reverse set up the rods. Tightened the stops, jacked the diff and rowed the gears- Got all four though two was a bit balky.
Suggested he put it back up in the air and check the stop for two- back it out slightly.
Think its ok- Thanks for confirming what I thought- shifter or clutch. if it rows well on the bench its probably not the box.
Scorp