Bellows seal problem has been solved. I presented the problem to our mechanical engineer and our machinist , both good friends of mine,and figured out a quick modification. I will be turning a 3" x 2" piece of round stock scrap aluminum on the lathe at work down to what I need. It will bolt right down and uses a $4.00 Mercury Quick silver seal that arrived in the mail last week. The I.D. of the seal fits the O.D. of the shift rod perfectly. We have the scrap metal, we have the technology...probably some beer swilling involved......what could possibly go wrong ?
My new question is : what seal kit do I need to re-seal the rest of my lower unit ? I have it off,....might as well tear it down , re-seal it and remove the worries. It wouldn't hurt to have a quick look on the inside after all of that water intrusion....