diesel gear linkage differences ?

[oorwullie]

short version of a LONG story:

1990 van with originaly ABH (or is it AHB?) TD sideshifter gearbox(4 speed ) and 1Y 1900 golf 3 engine.

gearbox is fecked. gearstick was very sloppy as well.

i want (need ) to adapt the late side shift linkage to match early DM noseshifter gearbox which is now fitted in the van.

OR

i have a complete 4 speed early Aircooled linkage ( missing the brackety thing that holds the linkage rod to the gearbox but might find that tomorrow).

are the sideshifter holding brackets ( the linkage rod goes through them, don't look to be removable????) actually the same part as the early diesel /Aircooled noseshifter bracket where the shift rod can simply be pulled out?

will any combination of these parts work ????

or are all diesel linkages totally different from petrol engines, wasser or Aircooled?

i have NEVER done anything on a diesel before this in case you hadn't noticed.

other options like getting the correct gearbox or at least another late sideshifter are not feasible cos this is for 2 guys from poland who are totally skint and got the DM free from poland.

and diesels are pretty thin on the ground here as well, so parts are scarce.

lots of helpful answers preferably with plenty diagrams and pictures will be very welcome especially by before lunchtime tomorrow.

[oorwullie]

never mind, as usual i sorted it on me own.in a simple manner.........

[oorwullie]

i'd post pics if it was a simple matter to put picasa web album foties on here. could someone maybe re write the codes?

[oorwullie]

and they made it the 900 miles back to poland.