If you replace the shifter and it's tight for a couple weeks, then loosens up again, you may have another problem.
I had the problem that the end on the shift rod going back to the tranny was warn out too. For that you have two options: 1. pay to have the rod replaced (~$800 because you have to drop the tranny) or 2. FRWilk's fix (
http://frwilk.com/early944/ and click on the "shifter repair link on the left side)