Notes on series shifting characteristics:
It is a long shifter lever so the throw will seem long compared to short car type shifters.
The series 3 shifter had a plastic ball to engage the selector slot, these wore quickly and have often been replace by the series 2a style.
The series 2 shifters had a metal ball to enage the selector slot with rubber O ring in a groove to deaden rattling. The O ring lasted about .5 miles from new.
The S2 metal ball does wear eventually and gives a sloppy shift when it does.
If there is little or no resistance to reverse engagement one or both springs on the mechanism are missing/unhooked. These springs are external to the gear box.
If you find the shifter is in an akward position it can be heated and bent to be more comfortable.
John