Hello new to the site here. I have a 1985 E150 4.9 inline 6 with a 4 speed manual (3 speed with overdrive?) The transmission is stuck in first gear. The problem started out that it was hard to put in first gear and reverse when the truck was running. It would go in eventually but with some grinding and force. If i shut the van off it would shift thru all gears effortlessly. Now the van is stuck in first gear. I've been able to get under there and manually knock it in and out of gear with a tap of a hammer. Ive checked the master for air(seems fine) and the slave is working properly. The previous owner said they replaced the clutch I'm guessing about 15k ago. Im trying to avoid taking it into a shop because i just don't trust em. Im pretty mechnically inclined but i just don't have any experience with transmissions/clutches. Thanks for your time and help

 

I would guess you have a SROD 4 speed. You need to look under there and see if;

The shifter goes into the top of the tranny or

The shifter mounts on the side of the tranny and there are shifter levers and linkages on the side of the tranny.