Try this:
When you come to a stop and want to engage first gear, pump the clutch pedal
about 3 times (full motions) before flooring it as you normally would. If
this affects it it indicates a hydrolic problem (i've seen this happen).
This is a simple and obvious test.

My bus hates first gear when cold. I blame thick transmission fluid.
Consider having your transmission fluid changed out if you haven't before or
recently. If it ran low on fluid for some reason this might also cause the
problem you're having.

Those are my thoughts.
Otherwise i would assume it's either the shift bushings along the shift rod,
or the ball/socket at the transmission that is worn out. These are both
fairly available parts for pretty cheap.

-Craig
'85GL turned WESTY

On Mon, Feb 16, 2009 at 3:43 PM, Greg Potts <greg@pottsfamily.ca> wrote:

> 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.
>>
>