shifter travell or adjustment problem

[black_81_vette]

My 81 with a T-10 has become difficult to shift into second gear.The clutch is adjusted fine and I diddnt see any bent or missing parts. But what I do notice is this,the shifter seems to have much more travel going from first to second than say from third to fourth.If you look at the space between the shifter handle to the console it is much closer to the trim plate than it is when its in fourth gear. Also it feels like its hitting something and not going into gear all the way sorta like its bottoming out.Im kind of gun shy to rip through the gears until its fixed ive missed second twice because of this. Oh and this is with the stock shifter, and all the other gears engage smoothly.

 

[TimAT]

Check your shifter. I'd bet the bushings in the shifter and possibly the shift arms are worn. there are small kits out there that have bronze bushings and new clips for cheap. and while you're under there, just throw a wrench on the bolts and make sure everything is tight.