2 hours ago, siteunseen said:

Congratulations!

Now it's time to wizz the neighbors off with that exhaust. 

dont wizz them off, invite them over for a beer and a listen!

Thankyou everyone for your time and input. I said I wanted to see this project through at the beginning of the thread. but, I have to say I was second guessing myself this week. So after grinding down the shift rod front and back it shifts like butter. I like the tall gears, I'm not use to them. My friend/mechanic also with your feedback was able to diagnose and figure out my stalling problem. My car was stalling when coming down. He adjusted the throttle stop so it wouln't close completely or over reach the idle point. He also adjusted the dash pot a little bit to slow down the throttle plate. Time to clean and enjoy!

Looks like the grinding worked. Very good. When I had the same issue I found a 280Z with a 5 speed at the bone yard that still had the shifter in it.

That worked perfect like yours is now but with no grinding, The correct 5 speed shifter looks like the straight shifter you showed from the pivot point down.

But it needs to have the bends in it like the 240Z and 280Z 4 speed shifters.

I never tried that straight shifter in mine but I am sure it would hit the transmission tunnel and prevent 3rd and 5th gear to engage.

From what I have read the 79 is the exact same 5 speed as the 77 & 78 5 speed. Just uses a straight shifter instead for a ZX.  Hope I did not confuse anyone further.

Lumens, I think the whole shifter thing is very confusing. Not cause of you, there are just a lot of variables.