Shifting issues for 1st, 2nd and reverse

So this weekend, I pulled my transmission to reseal it from a nasty leak and to also repaint it. Everything went fine and I am pretty sure that I put it back together correctly. But silly me, I didn't test the the gears before putting it back into the car and now it won't go into first, second or reverse. 3rd, 4th and 5th gear work without any problems. But 1st, 2nd and reverse are impossible to get into. I can drop the transmission fairly easily again, but I am wanting to know if there is something else I might be able to check before busting the case open again.

I know it's not a linkage issue as I can not shift it manually on the shifter shaft. So it looks like it's something internally. I am going to pull the shifter shaft to see if that bolt on the side came loose during installation. I would like to avoid take it out again, so any suggestions on what to check outside of the tranny that it could be would be helpful before I pull it again. Thanks,

Richie

did it go back onto the engine smoothly? or did you have to force it on?
you say it can only shift into 3,4,5th from on top of the trans?

this may be helpful
Stealth 316 - Mitsubishi 3000GT AWD System

looking great, btw

Quote:

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Originally Posted by n2nsanity

did it go back onto the engine smoothly? or did you have to force it on?
you say it can only shift into 3,4,5th from on top of the trans?

this may be helpful
Stealth 316 - Mitsubishi 3000GT AWD System

looking great, btw

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Thanks for the reply man. I actually did fix it tonight and yes, I could only shift into 3rd, 4th and 5th. To save some time, I'll post what I posted on 3Si:

I just wanted to update this thread in case any one else had this same issue. So after tearing the transmission apart again and putting it back together piece by piece, I found out that the "poppet cover" that holds the springs and steel balls onto the shift forks was installed the wrong way. I think people also call it the detent plate. Oops. Either way, after moving the plate 180*, it now shifts a lot nicer. Nothing like wasting 4 hours on something that could have taken 10 minutes and with out pulling the tranny again. Bah!!!

I did a search before I fixed this, and didn't find sheot. But after doing some further research after the fact, of course I find exactly the post I needed. It appears this guy had the same issue/symptoms:

Output shaft replace, now shifting problems - 3000GT/Stealth International Message Center

Oh well, I keep telling myself I pulled it again for a reason. :) I am getting a little too good at this.

Anyways, just wanted to post up, to be of some help, in case someone else had the same problem.

Richie