As others have said, it sounds like the clutch is not disengaging
fully when you press the pedal.  Can you shift through the gears with
the engine off?  That condition would support the clutch theory.
Edward

At 08:01 PM 10/16/2011, Jim Lieb wrote:
>Well, I hope this isn't going to be as bad as I think it might be. I'm
>experiencing problems with my 1987 Westy. I had the clutch master cylinder
>changed about a week ago because it was leaking. The van has been driving
>great all summer until the last couple of days. I noticed that it was
>becoming harder and harder to get in to 1st gear. Usually if I'm crawling,
>like at a stop light I can ease it in to gear just fine. As it became more
>difficult I found that I had to come to a complete stop to get it into gear
>and a few times as I drove I had to really floor the clutch for a smooth
>shift. On the way home from work I stopped at a stop sign and the shifter
>would not go into first at all. I got it into second and proceeded from
>there and at the next stop it wouldn't go in 1st or 2nd. I put it in third,
>got it going, downshifted to 2nd and drove the last two blocks to my home.
>As I pulled up in front of my house and parked it I tried to shift and it
>would not go in to any gear and if I tried reverse the gears were still
>turning (grind, grind) even with the clutch to the floor. Any ideas or help
>before I call the garage?
>
>--
>Jim in NW Pa.
>
>Member: PVC Pittsburgh Vanagon Club
>1987 Vanagon Westfalia Camper
>Member: Toyota Land Cruiser Association #15764
>1982 FJ40
>2007 FJ Cruiser