I have the same series of problems. Was always scared when stopped or
turning without speed because of the flat spot and shifting trouble.
The guy who sold it to us actually argued that there was nothing wrong
with the shifter, it just takes 10 years of careful operation to get
an understanding of how to properly shift into 1st up to 40% of the
times accurately. The shift kit made a big difference, but it was the
shifter bushings that made the biggest. In my case the sloppy shifting
was a result of sideways play of the shift rod. The flat spot seems to
have disapeered after a timing adjustment and proper grounding of the
engine, but it might come back at the least oportune time.....who
knows.

Anyone know of a solution to "harder to get into first gear than the
other gears". Not Finding the gear, its just physically harder to push
into first gear. maybe a transmission flush/fill would fix this?

-Craig
'85GL Sunroof