new to the site and little help needed
 

Hello all. Short story...about 31 years ago I bought my fist vehicle which was a 72 Chevy LWB (couldn't find a SWB) which I rebuilt from the ground up. 29 years later I still miss that truck and decided that I wanted to find a project that I can spend some time on and came across a 72 SWB which I bought. 250 cid, 3 speed tranny. Been doing much of the mechanial stuff myself but I am somewhat limited on my "knowledge". Thank goodness for manuals and the internet. Here is the question...3 speed tranny moved to floor by former owner. It has been on the road with tranny working fine but now if I try to put it in any gear and let out the clutch, it only wants to move forward and it seems to be straining like something is stopping it. This happens in reverse, 1st, 2nd and 3rd. I haave researched everywhere and am at a loss. Any ideas? And since I am new to the sight I hope that I posted this in the right area. If not let me know.

Re: new to the site and little help needed
 

Welcome from N. Calif! Just guessing, it sounds like you are stuck in either second or third gear. First thing I would check is the trans linkage... with any luck it's just loose.

Re: new to the site and little help needed
 

Sorry cant help you much with your problem, but I am sure someone on here will be more then willing to help. Welcome to the site and when you got a chance, throw up some photos so we can see what your working with.

Re: new to the site and little help needed
 

Sounds to me like it is stuck in two gears or something like that.I've had this happen years ago. I would take both shifting rods loose from the tranny, Take the arms on the trans and see if you can move them to the neutral position,might need a pair of channellocks, and try to get both arms in the neutral position. Take the shifter and put it in the neutral position, on most 3 and 4 speed shifters there is a hole that you can slip a pin or small bolt through when it's in neutral, than re -adjust and re-install the rods, remove the pin and you should be adjusted right. Before you do this, check to see that linkage is not binding, and check the bushings on the linkage arms if there are any. Good luck