I have an 83' with 188K on it that seems to run like a top except that the area around the shifter gets very hot when car is up to temperature? I was told the tranny fluid and gasket were changed at 150K. I am also missing one of the switch covers in the console. Any idea where I can get one? That small opening is like a chimney bringing heat in from the tranny.

 

Cant help with the switch, but when was the last time the Coolant was dumped and the coolant system flushed out. If you have accumulated deposits withing the engine waterjacket and the rads, this will make operating temperstures higher than they need be.
Regards Big Bob