Shift Linkage adjustment...again...confused

[Indiana_Red@hotmail.com (Ken B)]

I have I think 5 "A1" repair manuals.  They all have the same picture of the
"finger" 19mm (or 15mm I forget at the moment)away from the lock out plate
on the bottom of the shifter.  Only one of them mentions the orientation of
the top of the shifter when this measurement is taken.
I have been struggling with this little mini project for a week or two off
and on.  Do I need a "friend" inside the car to make sure the stick is in
the middle of its side to side travel so that then and only then can I get a
meaningfull pivot adjustment on the shift rod/clamp up near(under) the
firewall?  Is this the step that I should be doing to make it work?  The
error is that I keep getting back up in the car and it just feels like the
stick needs to go to the left more.  I lean it all the way over to the stop
(the finger below hites the lock out plate) and the stick is only then
almost perfectly "centered".  It's like 1st/2nd gate should be over there
more, left of center.
For 16Vers or for that matter any 5-spd out there, when you lean the shifter
over to the left about to go "up" into 1st, is the shifter vertical (in the
side to side range of motion) or leaned over towards the driver.  What is
its range of side motion in relation to where each gate is.  It just feels
wrong.  I know about the 2 small bolts under the shift boot that lets the
plate slide around a bit and this is centered now.  It was off a hair.  Im
pretty sure I am using all 16v linkage parts forward of the long shift rod.
yes my bushings may be a bit worn but I am convinced  this is more due to
installer error.
I know Im babbling...Ill shut up now....
Thanks for any input
Ken
1979 Scirocco  "McFly"
16v conversion "...it's working....It's WORKING...!"
tracing electrical gremlins now...
VORTEX:  "Indiana Red"