I'd have gotten a used bracket mount...

Did you check first to be sure you got the right part for your year, etc.?

Anyway - $48 isn't that much in the long run.

well i FINALLY was able to get the rod and coupler lined up and was able to go through the gears. i took it around the block and the sfhit rod bushing if definatly not tight enough, it hums around the rod, so i odered another one of those and cancelled the bracket, i think i can make the old one work, it was a little bent, but looks fine now. on the semi bright side, it does seem to shift a little better, hopefully a lot once the rod bushing is on, if anyone wants to do this, i have a huge list of what not to do. thanks for all the help, especially todd and randy, i'll let everyone know how it goes, fingers crossed!!