Quote:

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First gear would not stay in gear and felt only
partially engaged. I adjusted the neutral position
on the hurst shifter then dropped the 1-2 rod and
adjusted that. I am out of threads on the adjustment. Second gear works and engages fine. First still only feels like it is half way in, but it will stay in gear now. It's hard to fell first
engagement under the car using a wrench to turn the 1-2 shaft so I am wondering if it's the linkage bend is off and needs to be shortened more
or increase threads as second gear still works great, or if it might be in the syncs or a gear.

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Sounds to me that you have eliminated the trans as the problem. Now you have to find out what is binding or hitting with the shifter. Look at the bottom of the shifter with the trans in first gear. See if the shifter arm is touching the inside of shifter housing. Look for the shift rod binding or touching the transmission side cover or another shift rod. You've eliminated the expensive part, now it should be a "no cost" adjustment.