'83 & '85 300CD-T: Bowden cable connection at transmission

[dogguy]

1983: 722.315 transmission
1985: 722.416 transmission

The Bowden cable on the 1985 looks like it is near the end of its service life.
The Bowden cable on the 1983 doesn't look so bad but (I think) it is original and I have a fluid+filter change to do on the car. I'm thinking that it should probably be replaced.

I've identified the new Bowden cable needed for these (our family's) two vehicles plus the o-ring for the transmission end. My questions:

1. Does the cable at the transmission end just snap into place? Seems probable but I'd like to ask.
2. It seems to me (from getting underneath and looking) that it is convenient (absolutely necessary?) to remove the pan in order to successfully remove the cable. True?

Finally...
3. If I adjust the nut/threaded shaft at the end of the new cable on the top of the valve cover to be in about the same place as the old cable's nut/threaded shaft, will I have the transmission shift points set to approximately the same?

Thanks for any clarifications.