Glad it wasnt internal. You have been busy. Good diagnosis. It sounds like it has been ridden hard and jammed in and out of gear many times at some point in its life. I think it is repairable clean up the threads on the rod and it may work, but i would be tempted to look for a new shifter in good shape, you definately want to get it adjusted correctly so no internal damage happens. Hopefully the correct belt will solve your clutch problems also.

ok...thanks again nope....they wont fit

If you look the part up in Partzilla, then click on the part number as if you are going to buy it, it will take you to a new page where it describes the part better, and on that page there is a tab labelled "Fitment" (from memory it's fitment, or application..haha I'm not looking it up for you to check), click fitment and it lists all the other models that part fits.

Yup, 2HR engine number means 87-88. -0000101 was 87, -0050101 was 88. So perhaps late 88 for -007969.

Looks more like a 1989 or early 90s big bear because of the shifter