Default Transmission gears grind while trying to reverse

[blackbird307]

I have a 1980 dodge ram van b100 and when I try to go into the reverse gear on my manual transmission, I can't, the gears just grind. For me to go into the reverse, I essentially have to turn the engine off, shift into reverse, and then start it up again. I can shift from reverse to any other gear without a problem.

It was working fine up until I replaced the clutch.

How do I fix this?

Thanks!

[GLHNSLHT2]

did you try 1st gear then reverse while completely stopped? 1st will syncronize reverse. It should be done that way on any manual trans.

[black86glhs]

It's possible the clutch is dragging slightly. Since reverse isn't synchronized, it grinds. The synchros keep the other gears from grinding.