Trans clutch Shift linkage

[ngowichita]

I have a 1990 GL that I swapped a Subaru EJ25 into. I used the KEP adapter. The clutch was lovely & new input shaft bearing & seal were installed. I haven't driven much because this issue has surfaced.

Up until about 2 weeks ago, in the limited driving I have done, the van drove in all 4 forward gears & reverse. Clutch released nicely & shifted well. Then during a shakedown drive around my neighborhood, I had trouble finding 2nd gear, as well as getting back into 1st.

It seamed like there was another 'gear' for each gear, but that 'other' gear wasn't the gear, it was something 'in between' the gear & neutral. And there was noise. The stick was tight. With some clutch actuation, I would eventually find the gear I wanted.

So, I found 1st & parked the van in the garage.

I drained the gear oil from the trans, just under 3 quarts came out; it didn't look terrible. There were some metal shavings on the plug magnet. I refilled with the right gear oil. I also replaced the rear shift shaft bushing & the shaft elbow (GoWesty). I put it all back together this morning & took it out for a spin. I knew immediately that nothing really changed when I tried to back out of the garage. I found that 'other', noisy, reverse gear.

There is chattering in the clutch - which I have read, causes damage.

When I can find the 'real neutral', which makes the stick shift loose, left & right, it goes into 1st fine. When I cannot find the 'real neutral', it does not go into any gear easily & releasing the clutch will makes noise.

Thanks to all of you that read this & more thanks to those that can provide insight.

[MarkWard]

Here is what a properly adjusted 4 speed looks like in neutral. Check yours.

There was a recent thread where someone linked a you tube video. Sorry I didn’t book mark it. I can adjust these blindfolded so of no interest.