Guess on the cause of these symptoms?

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I was checking the linkage and making sure everything was tight, and when tightening the 1/2 shifter tab nut on the stud I could move the tab/stud one position further towards the rear of the car this would cause the shifter to lock until I manuualy moved the tab back one position by turing the nut on the stud counter clockwise with my wrench. Does this sound normal?

Yep moving the levers on the trans from underneath without moving the shifter handle will lock the shifter. Thats normal.