63 Spd Manual wont shift into First

65Cuda273 said
Hello, Check the linkage, see if you have both bushings on the arms or do you have metal against metal. I had same problem and I made my own bushings for the arms and it shifts great now. Good luck!

One of the bushings is pretty trashed to the point the rod slips through where the bushing should be up the shaft a little bit. They are rubber bushings that you are speaking of correct? Any hints on remanufacturing them or where they might sell them?

65Cuda273 said
You should come to a stop riding in nutural, then shift to first.

Yea I do, It won't shift back into first. I have to start it in first with the clutch in, otherwise, even with the clutch pushed in at a dead stop, I'm unable sometimes to get the car into first.

fzmax said
You are correct, there is no synchronizer for first so you have to stop with it in second, then shift into first.

Therein lies the problem, no shifting to first unless I turn the car off, shift into first, then start the car with the clutch in, in first gear.

805moparkid said
ATF??? these trans are loose... they are not made with the super tight tolerances like the new ones... use 80-90...

as for the Non progressive first (Non synco) it has straight cut teeth... so they dont just mesh together on a whim... they have to be at the right RPM and tire speed... my 65 belvedere wouldn't get into 1st from second any slower than about 10 mph... and that was if i had my RPM's just right...

first is only for a start...

as for adjusting the clutch and then having it go soft again... sounds like you ready for a new clutch...

Yea, the PO had the clutch replaced less than 2,000 miles ago, but that was 10 years ago, so I guess sitting around didn't do it any good. Sometimes, even when I have the clutch pedal all the way down, it sounds like I can hear the clutch scraping the flywheel.