The ALDA leaking and trans shifting issues can be intertwined. Pull the nipple off the ALDA and see if it holds vacuum (if it's good it should). If it won't hold vacuum don't waste your time adjusting it, it needs new seals.

If your car has the "blue UFO" vacuum amplifier for the transmission, the boost signal going to the ALDA is tied into it and directly affects your shifting. If the ALDA leaks, the boost signal is low and will affect the amount of vacuum to the transmission modulator.

All things being equal, the power should come on smoothly if the ALDA is working properly. You'll be a little gutless until you hit ~1500 RPM, then you should start feeling a surge of power as the ALDA enriches the fuel mixture. If it's just a dog until you get over 2000 RPM and suddenly you have power, I'd bet money on the ALDA leaking like a sieve.

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