https://i.imgur.com/ZGMOGZl.jpg

I think it's for a possible center clock but that means I'm missing that for the neutral safety switch (82 Z28 original manual made automatic) though with the fact I have an 84, 85, 86 shifter assembly I'm unsure if it could just be a different shape

 

Column lock detent cable

PN switch is in the shifter. The curved thing in your pic

 

What does the column lock detebt cable do and should I be concerned with it not plugging anywhere?

And right but here you can see here https://i.imgur.com/WrGzMlu.jpg there's a plug that has nothing going to it, the mechanic that fixed my carb said he couldn't get the reverse lights working because I was simply "missing components in the circuit" could this plug be what he was referring to?

 

Ryan,

I'm sure that you probably figured this out by now,.... If your car was converted from stick to auto the person swapping the tranny didn't finish the job.

The switch on the side of the shifter is a Neutral Safety Switch. It's main purpose is to only allow the starter to engage only when in PARK or NUETRAL. The 2 wires that used to lead thru your clutch "start" switch should be run into the shifter Neutral Safety switch.

The 2 reverse light wires ( that used to plug into the stick tranny ) will need to be run to the Neutral Safety switch on the side of the shifter too. They are BLUE and GREEN wires.

The Orange/black wire that's normally on this switch is for the ECM ( I think !! maybe 4th gear signal for TCC ?? )

Hope that helps !