Thanks for the pic Steve. Having never seen the linkage (bought my set in pieces fro different sources) I came up with a more flowing curve to connect points A and B. That was the source of my shifting issues. The aluminum rod I used and the curve I added had just enough flex to cause the joint at the gearbox end to bind.
Since replaced with a 4130 rod with slight doglegs at each end per Steve's pic shifting is a dream. The pivot polish and high tack grease didn't hurt.