The rear shift rod for 82 came 2 ways. Same rod but different shapes.
Diesels have the tranny tipped up very high at the front and aircooled
have the tranny mostly level. The aircooled rear rod is thus mostly
straight as well. The diesel rear rod needs a considerable curve to get
up to the higher tranny nose.

The main difference is due to the tranny nose mount brackets. The diesel
one is much taller.

Mark

M Catlin wrote:
> Is the rear shift rod on an 82 diesel supposed to be bent or straight?
> I am replacing my rear shift rod because it has serious wear inside
> the tube where the guide pin goes.  I got another rear shift rod
> from an 82 diesel parts car and it is straight.  Actually, it looks
> like it may have been straightened.  Mine has an upward bend as you
> go from front to back on the car.  Which is correct?
> Thanks.
> Mike Catlin
> Davis, Calif.
>