I need a manual transmission guy around Seattle

If you're comfortable removing the side cover, I'd suggest removing the tailshaft housing.
Buddy of mine got a 'new' 833 that had the rear bearing retaining clip loose due to being too thick to fit properly. We sanded it down on 220grit on a plate of glass until it fit snug.

With the clip undone, it wouldn't shift into 2nd, just grind. It could sometimes get 3 or 4th, but downshifting was impossible.

Worth pulling the tailshaft to ensure the rear bearing isn't flopping about.