The shifter with the slop does have a different slot width than the tight shifter by .020. At the top of the gate this translates to .110 free play. I have decided not to try to dissasemble the long shifter with the cable. The short later model shifter is the sloppy one and I can remove the tang since it doesn't use a cable but a threaded rod. I will try to weld up the tang or maybe braze and then file it down for a nice fit into the slot. If I just squeeze the tube in the vise, the tang doesn't freely move in the tube.
Thanks for your help.