3 speed column shifting weirdness?

The original column shift had the shift collar split apart, so a few weeks ago I installed a steering column I got from a member on this board. Now, it shifts from 2nd to 3rd and back easily, but moving the shift lever over to 1st/reverse? Nope. The lever will not budge at all, almost like it is welded in place. Under the hood, I can easily move the linkage and shift it to 1st/reverse, so not a tranny problem. The "ear", or "tab", or whatever you call it at the bottom the steering column that moves between 1/R and 2/3 gears can rarely, with effort and a big screwdriver, be forced to move between shift rods (the shift lever by the steering wheel moves appropriately), but again, this is rare and doesn't fix the issue.

I thought maybe there was something that had fallen down the steering column by the spring down there that was maybe interfering with normal movement, but it doesn't look like it. I separated the steering column from the steering gear, moved the column up and away, and disassembled the column enough to slide all the moving parts down and out. Things looked ok and moved freely. Reassembled, exact same issue. Any thoughts, guys? Shifting to a floor mount might be an option, if anyone still made the conversion kits...

At least I can now drive it, even if I always start in 2nd and try to find a pull-through parking spot.