In a message dated 5/14/04 6:51:51 AM, RAlanen@AOL.COM writes:

<<  weld up the old one  with the brace inside. >>

Welding will anneal the metal unless the welding is followed by heat
treating.  If allowed to cool naturally, welding high carbon steel is like cooking
spaghetti.  The biggest problem in welding something like this is identifying the
grade of steel so that the proper procedures can be applied.  Get a new
shifter rod or fabricate, harden and temper one.

George