Now what did i do???

The shift rod is guided by the shift mechanism in the cockpit. When disconnected, the fork in the gearbox moves freely about at will. You must reposition it for proper function. In addition to other bits you are going to service, I suggest the rubber "silentbloc" bushing that's in the shift shaft. Age and oil takes a toll on them.

I've seen a plastic fence break on a plastic cam drive sprocket. The car was a friend's who I was helping. We replaced just the one broken sprocket, the new sprocket that came from the dealer was all steel. My 78 has all plastic sprockets. If I was doing an engine out, I'd put them on my list of things to replace.

 

It sounds like your talking about the shifter rod that is coming out of the engine oil pan. If so, that can't be right. Given the above, I'd pull the transmission bottom cover and see what's going on.

 

When the shift shaft is disconnected from the cockpit the internals to the transmission get all goofed up. 99.95% of the time you need to pull the transmission box cover to align it all up AFTER you put it all back together (last thing to do). Takes all of about an hour TOPS for a dummy like me.

Been there, GOT THE T-SHIRT.



Just do as 2dinos recommends. See Verrel (on this site) for the delrin "Silent Block" replacements.

 

You probably didn't do anything. Once disconnected the shaft will spin 270 degrees or so. It only engages gears with fore/aft movement - and then only in a narrow arc. You'll just need to be sure you have it right side up when you reconnect it to the rest of the linkage when you reinstall. Here's the other end - Mid picture, right side.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/moseley_ferrari/4427082179/in/set-72157602899523865/


Rick