*disclaimer* I know nothing about transmissions. I do not know the proper terminology for what I am trying to describe, and will use terms like dohicky instead of ...well, like I said.

Before I forget, '76 Dart Swinger, 225 Super Six, 4 speed OD, 200someoddthousandmiles

Backed out of the driveway, and couldn't get into first gear. So I backed up a few more feet, and shifted straight into 1st, no problem. But as I started down the road, I could hear something dragging underneath me. Upon inspection, it appeared a cotter pin had fallen out, allowing (what I'm making out to be) the reverse rod to come out of it's lever on the side of the transmission. I put it back through, and secured it with a hose clamp. I merged back into traffic, and as I was accelerating, couldn't get into 3rd. With a little pressure (and a little grinding as I recall) I was able to shift into 3rd. But at the next stop light, I realized I couldn't get back through the H (shift pattern) into 1st/2nd. With a rolling start, I was able to lug third until I could find a place to pull over. Under the car again, I pushed/pulled and ignorantly played with the three levers, in an attempt to figure out which rods/levers controlled what gears. I can't tell you what I did, but I did something so I could shift into 1st/2nd again, so I limped home on back roads. Everything seemed normal once I was in a gear, the problem was always trying to shift into a gear (or cross sideways through the H).

As it sits in my shop, with the clutch in, I can move the lever into all four gears, but haven't let the clutch out enough to find out if it really is in. I cannot get into reverse, but that's most likely the hose clamp restricting movement.

What am I looking at here? Do the rods need adjustment? Do I need new syncros or a complete rebuild? Feel free to ask any questions about specific details, and I will do my best to answer them. Thanks.

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Thankyou for stating your problem so well......

I would repair the linkage and adjust the shifter......all will be revealed during that process. Look for bad bushings/missing/broken cotterpins. Use many oil.

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Yeah....Im the one who destroyed this rare, vintage automobile.....

Ok, I will do that here in a couple weekends when I have a few minutes.

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