Linkage seems to be set where it works best when it does shift...the problem is when coming back down from 2nd or 3rd its hard to get it to drop back down into the 1st/reverse gears....you have to really jam it for it to go....I think there is a issue in the column?

 

Could be

Is this while moving? I double clutch the 71 and 66's to get into first easier.

If while stopped to, the R/1 shift linkage could be bound up. Make sure all the joints are greased.

Adrianspeeder

 

its both....the levers seem fine...the part that moves on the column is loose, I'm not sure how it is suppose to be, got this from my dad.

 

could be that the clutch is hanging up...

...zap!