With the linkage disconnected from the lever on the trans, you should be able to move the lever on the trans the full distance. Park is at the end of the lever movement (can't remember if its forward or rearward end), and should lock the driveshaft from turning. From there you should be able to feel each gear detent in the lever as you move the lever by hand, park, reverse, neutral, drive, 2nd, and low. If you can feel each detent in the trans, put the trans lever back in park, put the shift lever in park, and adjust the linkage so it will connect to the trans lever without moving the lever. Gene