shifter bushes

["Scott Perschke" <s.perschke@mindspring.com>]

While replacing the tranny, I see a big space at the lower end of the shift
lever, where it sits in the tranny "receiver", shich is tapered.  There is a
bushing that fills the top of said tapered receiver, but the bottom of the
angled receiver is empty.  Should there be a "lower" bushing on the shifter
rod also to fill that void?  Can you understand what I'm trying to say??!?
TIA
Scott P. (up to my elbows in Roadster grime!)