Hey I have a 69 Camaro that wont shift into gears when running, and grinds reverse if its attempted. I can shift into all of them when off. It had been perfectly running prior to this suddenly happening. I can start it in first but then it starts rolling. That means to me that the clutch is still able to grab... what would cause it not to be able to shift like that? Thanks for your advice!

 

maybe pressure plate fork [holds throwout bearing] is not seated on the bell housing pivot ball.

 

check you z bar (the piece that connects the pedal rod that goes through the firewall to the throwout bearing. see if the welds are still good. i snaped one about a month ago while trying to downshift. prior to it breakin i could barley take off and shift with it and it sometimes would not go in gear.

 

So you're saying in first with the clutch pedal down, the car creeps?
Could be:
Clutch pedal has too much free-play adjustment
Loose linkage (as mentioned above)
Bent finger(s) on the pressure plate
A bent pivot fork
A floor mat, bunched up carpeting, or a dead cat below the clutch pedal limiting downward movement

 

Hey thanks for all the the replys I will look into the Z-bar, that is not something i was familiar with but sounds like it could be the cause. I still need to check the throw out bearing and fork but I wanted to get an idea of some other things to look for before i took it all apart. To answer your question Camaro 69.... If i start the car in first it just starts rolling and then i can keep the engine on as long as i drive. I have not adjusted anything since it was working and I have full movement of the clutch petal, no dead cats even.... so basically I think the clutch wont release.