1985 vw golf diesel-- no reverse !!?

I just bought a 1985 vw golf diesel and the shifting was really sloppy. In order to get into first you kind of had to get into reverse and then pop it up and to the right. I decided to fix this by purchasing a shifter bushing kit and replacing the bushing in the linkage my self. The bushings were all toast. I replaced them and now cannot shift into reverse. If i have someone try to sit in the car and shift into reverse while I pull on the gear selector toward reverse it goes in. There is a rod with two ball joints on each end (the rear selector rod) that isn't moving horizontally enough to allow the car to shift into reverse. could it be that I don't have the something aligned right? maybe the housing that holds the ball ( size of a golf ball that is attached to a lever off the main shifter rod)... help I'm completely lost! Also, does anyone have suggestions on how to change a valve cover gasket successfully?? I appreciate any help!1985 vw golf diesel-- no reverse !!?there is a linkage adjustment to be preformed after bushing replacement loosen the clamp on the shift rod and move it around until

a 1/8 inch drill bit will fit all the way through the adjustment hole then tighten the clamp this should fix your problem.

note shortly after bushing replacement a readjustment may be necessary as the bushings wear in.[generally 2 or 3 weeks of use ]then no more troubles.

tip diesel engine mount failures are common[timing belt end of engine] so are transmission mounts. if these are sagging, rotted,or broken

proper shifter adjustment will be impossible.

good luck1985 vw golf diesel-- no reverse !!?I don't know Golfs specifically, but I think the reverse selector rod isn't adjusted correctly. I don't know if the rod has adjustment, but as you say, the rear selector rod isn't moving enough to allow it to shift into reverse. What you could do is to disconnect the rear selector rod and see where the lever has to be to allow reverse to be selected and adjust the rod to suit.

As I said, I don't know Golfs, but to change a valve cover gasket involves removing any equipment covering the valve cover, remove the screws holding the valve cover to the head, then pull the old gasket away from the cover.

Place the new gasket in position on the cover. You may have to insert the gasket into a groove in the cover and into the camshaft groove. Smear a little oil on the exposed face of the gasket. Place the valve cover in place on the head and screw it down and replace any equipment removed.