It seems as if I have answered my own question, this time. After using a modest amount of heat, with no success, I decided to try drill out the hole larger. I happened to have just the right size drill bit. I slowly drilled the center hole of the knob out. I was able to slide the it about half way down the slined end of the shift lever. The last half, I had to pound the end with the palm of my hand, until the knob had completely covered the spline end of the shift lever. Seems to have worked very nicely. Hope this information will help another bolter someday.
Thanks,
Rugo
