Finally got back to my '83 project van.  I'd replaced the tranny a few
months ago but for unrelated reasons had to leave the project for a few
months.  Finally, took it for a test drive today.  Initially had problems
finding gears, but much of that was sorted out by following the Bentley's
shift linkage adjustment procedure.

However, the biggest and unresolved problem is that it simply will not
shift into second or fourth gear.  The shift lever simply feels blocked
from accessing second or fourth and if I apply pressure I get the unhappy
sound of gears grinding.   I shortened up the shift rod by moving the front
shift rod further into the splines in the rear shift rod, but that didn't
seem to help.   Is this symptomatic of a bad pilot bearing (which I didn't
replace but probably should have) or what?

Thanks, Rick