Okay, the "special tool" required to adjust the positioning of the
gearshift lever is nothing more than the fat end of an audio cassette case.
Works every time.  If you have someone to help you, have them hold the
shift lever towards the passenger door and against the cassette case after
you loosen the pinch bolt on the shift rod under the car.  You'll have to
remove the gaiter on the shift lever and the case fits between the white
plastic guides on the left of the opening.  My old Haynes manual has a good
(for a change) diagram on page 198, Chapter 6 on where all the bits are and
what they are called.  If no one is available, use a bungee cord around the
shift lever and hook it to the armrest on the passenger door to keep it
tensioned against the plastic case.

        Yes, that weighted shift rod is a nice addition BUT you will need
the new nylon bushes on both ends of it.  If you were able to take up the
slack with a tie wrap, then chances are that not only is that bushing shot,
but the rest of them as well.  If you decide to get new selector rods (the
ones with the plastic ball sockets on them) make sure you get the new foam
washers that go underneath them and clean the old grease off the ball pins.
Don't use "white" grease on them as it tends to harden very quickly and
causes wear in the ball sockets on the selector rods.  I have some
synthetic chassis lube that I use but I am sure any of the proprietary ones
will work.  Be careful removing the old ones as you need a screwdriver to
flip open the little catch on each end of them.  Break one of those off and
it's useless.

        Hope that gets you pointed in the right direction.....