Hi Joy,

I haven't seen this asked yet, so I will throw in my $.02.

Does the transmission go into first gear the way it should when the
engine is not running? If yes, you probably have a worn-out clutch disk.

If not, then I guess it's something in the linkage.

Happy Trails,

Greg Potts
1973/74/79 Westfakia "Bob the Tomato"
1987 Wolfsburg Weekender Hardtop
www.busesofthecorn.com
www.pottsfamily.ca

Joy Hecht wrote:
> Hi folks,
>
> I'm in Augusta, Maine, heading north (if I can).  I'm having major problems
> getting my van (manual transmission) into 1st gear whenever I stop.  I'm
> headed to Newfoundland, hoped to get there by the weekend but obviously
> plans can change.  I had the van at Greg's place in Natick MA last week for
> other things, he said he lubricated it so I wouldn't have this problem, but
> obviously that didn't solve it.