Hello John,
Ouch.
I think I am right in saying all Myford spindle drives are by woodruff key. They did use pins for gear couplings on lathes up to the ML4 before switching to keyways there as well..
Not sure what you will find when you take it to pieces.
Just a thought before you do that as you don't say which model Myford you have, but it could just be the manual key for back gear has been shaken out of engagement by the shock loading from intermittent cutting. Good luck anyway
Brian