Take off your one piece rod and compare it with that one NOS Rod Picture posted here if you want

The $350 reproduction kit is for everything , and if your one piece rod is the correct one installed compared to that NOS piece , its time to look at other things like your internal valve body

Next

While your under there by the transmission

Take the throttle lever on your transmission and move it backwards within its full travel with your hand

You should feel some resistance as you move it rearward , probably around halfway of its travel , from the internal spring within the valve body and see how it feels