Hurst shifter rebuild

[usraptor]

Last summer my OEM Hurst shifter (1970 Cuda, 440, 4-speed, dana 60) periodically started hanging up during shifts. I ordered new isolator pads and a rebuild kit off Summit Racing (PN3327303).  I disassembled and cleaned the shifter in anticipation of receiving the rebuild kit.  Since it's been a while since I last had it apart, I refreshed my memory by watching several you tube videos (specifically gearbox video) and reading/downloading written instruction in addition to reading the service manual. In reviewing them and comparing the pictures of the Hurst rebuild kit shims, I noticed a difference between my "reverse safety plate" shim and the shim shown in the videos and written instructions and the pictures of the rebuild components.  As shown in the attached picture, the reverse safety plate/shim that was in my shifter has a slot at the bottom of the large opening resulting in a tang (for lack of a better description) that is held up under the spring pressure of the plate itself. The reverse safety plates shown in the videos, written instructions and packaging of the rebuild kit does not show this slot.  It is just an large open area, much the same as the other plates. You can see by the picture of my plate before I cleaned it, that there is a definite pressure mark in the grease along that slot/tang.   Looking at the reverse lever, I don't see how this slot/tang would have any effect on the shifting, but what do I know.  Also, a much smaller issue is that the Wave plate in the rebuild kit and videos, etc. has two small holes in it.  Mine does not have any holes. I really don't want to go through the hassle of taking out the shifter again if the reverse plate in the rebuild kit doesn't allow the shifter to function properly. The OEM reverse plate appears to be in good condition.  So should I just reuse the reverse plate that was originally in the shifter, or should I put in the new reverse plate without the slot/tang?

[Mr Cuda]

This shifter was pulled apart for hard shifting.  The button is worn.
Yours looks worse.
Brewers sells them.
As far as the shim, the thinner ones cause more problems..usually