Alfetta adjustments for the second gear impaired (Me)

[Milanogold@xxxxxxx]

Greetings Alfisti!
        Thanks for the tip on the distributor.....It was marked Marelli,I
assumed it was a Plex system.(Still learning about 4 cylinder Alfas,first one
I've ever owned so forgive the lack of knowledge about its systems.)Mark
Thornton and Tom Sahines pointed out that what we have is the Marelli stock
dual point distributor.I found it a fascinating piece of engineering.This
Alfetta is turning into a lifesized tonka toy for me;it's giving me endless
hours of fun and enjoyment.What a neat machine!    
      I did take out the distributor,I blew it out with compressed air and
found no trace of old broken spring,luckily.From the bolts I encountered this
weekend trying to take off the coolant bottle (bent in 3 distinct
directions,looked more like an S hook than a bolt) and the fuel pump not even
mounted in its holder (hanging from one bolt!),and coathangers holding up
lines around the fuel pump itself;I have determined that the (deceased)
previous owner wasn't the world's brightest mechanic.My wife and I spent half
an hour with the car up on jackstands looking over every single connection and
line underneath the car.Found a few loose,one brake line connection was
slightly loose and was tightened up,and found the brakeline running down the
driveshaft tunnel was loosened from it's clip and was beginning to barely rub
on the driveshaft.There was no damage to the line,thankfully, and  it's
securely in it's clip again.The exhaust hanger welded to the exhaust in the
area of the rear motor mount was broken and beyond saving.Gotta get a new one
of these.Spot welded the cat shield back onto the catalyst (The long probe
that screws into the catalyst,is this an o2 sensor?With an air pump too?How
would this work,does anone know?)
           I attempted to fix the shift linkage,thinking this would solve my
problem with not being able to get 2nd gear. I cranked the car after putting
it in second gear;when I let out the clutch all I got was gear grinding.All of
the other gears seem to work fine.I had the exhaust out of the way today  and
still can't figure out where the adjustments are made.With my wife in the
car,I got under it and had her go through the gears;the car was not running
when I did this.The arm that controls the shifting on the left side of the
tranny seemed to engage all of the gears;wheels spun in the same direction in
all gears;the shifter feels VERY vague though.Are the linkage adjustments made
at the plate with 4 bolts on the back of the shift rod,or are they made at the
shifter itself?I looked at the shifter where it comes out beside the
driveshaft;it just looks to be simply bolted on to the shift rod.Is this where
adjustments are made?I'm really confused on this one folks and could use a tip
or two.
Thanks in advance,
confused in alexandria,VA
Terry and Sharon Akins
1987 Milano gold (Alfie)
1984 GTV6 (Vito,soon to be at a new home, hopefully)
1979 Alfetta Velocissima coupe (confusing its owners with no 2nd
gear,otherwise a giggle machine) 
     

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