I just picked my grandma's old machine and am trying to thread it up.

my first problem is that i was following the manual to thread it and got to the bit where you put the thread between the tensions disks, then it says you are meant to put the thread on the cheack spring which should be protruding from the left hand side of the tension dial....the machine does nit have this 'check spring'...will it affect my stitch?

i think my tension is off but dont know how to tell when it is perfect...i keep turning the tension dial but it doesnt prove to help much....and also now it looks like the 'right side' of the stitch is on the back of the fabric....a line with little loops over it?

oh god please someone help me!