New transmission won't shift ..... WTF!

[71sbeetle]

Alright so for those that have been following my threads, you know what the problems I've been having are, for those that don't know, here's what I'm working with:

One night while shifting from 1st to 2nd, felt a jolt and couldn't shift into gear unless rev matching.
Next day checked clutch cable, was fine, still installed a new one. Could barely shift, had to rev match.
I could shift just fine if the engine was off, but could not shift if the engine was running.
Couple years later install a new engine, still same problem.
Since then I've replaced everything possible except for the transmission itself.
A few months ago, I pulled the transmission out to ship it out to KCR to get checked out and rebuild, transmission was stolen from my house.

Now fast forward to a few weeks ago, I received my new transmission from KCR, which I want to thank GREATLY for the awesome deal he gave me on a new transmission, it really helped me try to get my car back on the road asap!

Installed the transmission last week and the engine a few days later, today I finished putting the carbs etc so I could start the engine, start it up, go to shift, no go .... turn engine off, still can't shift! I tried everything, checked the coupler and the shifter, and I cannot get it to shift. If I have the engine running and I release the clutch slowly the wheels (rear end in the air) start spinning but along with a loud whining sound, it stops as soon as I push the clutch back in. Before you ask, I put Valvoline 80w90 in, filled until it started dripping out (with all 4 corners of the car up in the air and car level).

What would cause the transmission to not be able to shift, it's brand new. Is there a way to lock it for transport and I just forgot to unlock it?
Also, my fault for not trying to shift BEFORE I put the engine in.
I'm hoping it's just a stupid oversight from me somewhere.
_________________
Alte Schule Vintage and Performance VW club
www.gareymartin.com
flickr

[71sbeetle]

Nevermind about the whining noise when I let off the clutch was just my access trap doors rubbing on the tires. When I let off the clutch, wheels spin freely both in the forward direction. Shaft coming out of trans to shift coupler has the locking pin/bolt hole on the top, and not much of the shaft sticking out leading me to think it's in first gear. I can't get the shaft to move much forward or back or rotate side to side. It's like it's stuck in 1st gear.
_________________
Alte Schule Vintage and Performance VW club
www.gareymartin.com
flickr

[71sbeetle]

Took engine and transmission out AGAIN (what is it like 11 or 12 times now?) and took nosecone off (of course one of the lower studs pulled out and puked gear oil all over .....) and guess what, first gear was engaged and other two were in neutral with the hockey stick holding them that way ...... easy fix but now I need to clean up the black silicone/goo "gasket" get a new gasket, loctite the stud that pulled out and re-install EVERYTHING in the car ......
_________________
Alte Schule Vintage and Performance VW club
www.gareymartin.com
flickr

[HRVW]

What you did was common with many people that install a tranny w/o making sure the shift rod was in NEUTRAL.

When selling a trans at my parts house would ALWAYS show the customer that it was in NEUTRAL so there would be NO comeback complaints.

Did happen to a couple of the swing axles I sold.......they were a bit unhappy at the prospect of doing a R&R same as what you did.