So I bought this car and the PO said he had put in a new clutch but lost 2 of the 3 bolts that hold the shift cable linkage arm. 1,3, and 5 are spongy and finally will not go into gear at all. Now reverse is still there but when I shift into reverse it will not shift out of it with the shifter.
I'm told there is a shim that can cause problems if it is not there? I don't know what the PO did to this car but I did just have to redo all the timing belt work he did since it was right.

 

Replace the bolts you're missing.