Shift Linkage: new bushings at console, firewall, and coupler.
Goes into all other gears but third seems "soft" instead of "solid" engagement.
Upon deceleration (and randomly if not holding the lever), pops out of 3rd gear.

I haven't had a chance to check fluid level yet... plug is being difficult

Do I need to keep fine tuning the linkage adjustment or is third gear probably shot?

Thanks!

Adjust the linkage while in neutral. Loosen the clamp bolt and push the gear lever forward till it moves about 1/4 inch or so at the coupler and tighten it back up.

That may help, no guarantees. But it is worth a try before you spend the money on a rebuilt gearbox.

try adjusting a bit, shortening the linkage, and then if that does not work, hold it into gear for awhile and see if it starts going in again

I have made the adjustment as suggested but perhaps I need just a bit more
Headed to the garage shortly. Will give the "hold in gear" option a try.
This gearbox has basically been dormant for 25 years.

Thanks!

EDIT: adjusted it 1/4" and then even more but eventually lost ability to hit 4th.
Drove it a couple miles holding in 3rd but it still wants to pop out :-(
1st and 5th click right in and stay put.

Sorry.. you are down to replacing the gearbox. If you are desperate to drive it, then swap it out with the one in the creamsicle, the send it to Dr. Evil and get it rebuilt.

Worn synchros and dog teeth but, what about fluid levels? When I bought my car it was doing that , so after a while I was told check fluid- it had about 29% of the required gear oil!!! So a full clean flush and new fluid helped and got me thru a couple years until I went to transmission cloning and rebuilt it .

Yeah... will do that if a fluid change doesn't help.

Checking the fluid level is my next step but I have to get the plug off first!

Make sure to take the FILL plug out first.. so that you know you can refill before you empty all the fluid!

Mmm hmmm - ask me how I know that.

Excellent advice that I have seen mentioned many times so, yeah... top plug first

Check the trans and motor mounts. Decel will twist the geometry of the linkage. It may be providing enough twist to to just that.

just an idea

Thanks, Mark. Motor mounts are fairly new as I replaced them less than a year ago after one had disintegrated which lead to shifting issues
Trans mounts are good as well.

Have drained the gear oil and bought new. Will fill and test again tomorrow.

Did you do the mounts on the engine to the bar. many folks miss those. If the outside edge ones were toast, they probably were not far behind.
Hate to ask the question again, but they are less obvious.

Yes, the motor to bar mounts are fairly new. Transmission mounts are in good condition.
Outer bar mounts are just a bolt, washers and nut.

Just thinking that 3rd is an odd gear to be worn to that extent. At least not without significant wear on the lower gearing.

how about shifting it to 3rd gear manually by the console and see if u can move/run the car from 3rd gear.

That is what I was thinking too, hopefully a linkage adjustment issue but if not Clay provided the direction.

I always presumed they pop out of gear when the load comes on after shifting not on deceleration .

Are all the weird little pieces in the linkage good? is there play at the console? That limits your adjustment tolerances.

Yes, all the bushings are new or in good condition.
I finally got fluid changed but haven't had a chance to test drive due to a dead battery

Question: Looking at the rear console shift bushing... which way should it be inserted? From the front or from the rear? It is currently from the front and I am thinking there is some interference on the rearward side.

I had the exact same problem when I put a dormant car on the road. I thought the gearbox was ready for a rebuild but my mechanic adjusted the linkage and it now works fine. Don't assume you need a rebuild until all else is exhausted. If I remember correctly, mine was far worse when I first started driving it. It gradually became better but took a linkage adjustment to fix it completely.

Check out second page for picture

http://www.914world.com/bbs2/index.php?sho...42046&st=20

Thanks... checked last night and it is installed correctly. I even checked clearance for when linkage is in 3rd gear and there was no interference.

Looks like I am going to end up swapping this 'box with the 'box from my LE.

From reading all this, I would guess the problem is worn dog teeth and or worn synchro ring. This may be helped with an operating sleeve adjustment moving it closer to the third gear.

Well... finally got the time to swap transmissions and, happy to say, I now have third gear

Thanks for all the suggestions and comments.