Not sure about your Tico conversion application but the symptoms you
describe are identical to the problem i had with my 87 with 2.1 waterboxer.
Pilot bearing was the culprit.  fyi

Claudio Cella
87  Vanagon GL  7 passenger
90  Jetta TD
----- Original Message -----
From: "Phil S." <napszeerf@YAHOO.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Tuesday, June 18, 2002 11:15 AM
Subject: Sudden Shifting Difficultys

> Shifting into 1st takes alot of muscle unless i give
> the clutch 3 fast pumps. 2nd and 3rd can be tough but
> not always. Reverse grinds. All gears shift easy when
> engine is off and the clutch pressed down. I just had
> a Tiico conversion installed with a new LUK clutch
> about 800 miles ago.
>
> The archives say it could be
> A. Shift linkage bushings
> B. Clutch Master Cylindar
> C. Pilot Bearing
>
> Can anyone give me some advice before I get all
> dirty?(its very muddy and rainy right now)
>
> Phil
>
>
>
>
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