Yup, this is my daily driver and I was able to make it to school using 2nd, 4th, 5th and 6th.

It either won't "catch" 1st or will for about a second then pops out. In 3rd, it's like it won't go all the way in, and just rattles like it's halfway in. Any idea what this is?

I think I already know the answer, I need to pull the transmission and replace some parts If that's the case I'm going to have to consider buying a core, building it up and swapping it in one day, or replacing with an auto

 

could be 1st gear syncro, thats what it usually is when it pops out of gear. the shift fork could be bent for 3rd gear. were you racing and missed 3rd or something? that will usually do it. hope that helped

 

I've missed 3rd a few times, but not recently. I'm thinking I'm gonna replacing syncro's and stuff, but I'm pretty clueless about manuals though.

 

Check for mis adjusted stops on your shifter. Then throw them away.

 

What do you mean calhoon? Can we safely rid our shifters of their stops?

 

Well the Pro 5.0 had adjustable stops but I don't remember the B&M having them. But I will check as this is an easy fix. The car wasn't going to reverse today all of a sudden and I pulled the leather boot off, and the console was out of alignment so I ended up breaking one of the tabs in order to get the car into reverse. So I wonder (hope) something is just simply out of alignment.

 

B&M ripper shifter has them too. I have the same problem as you. but first is good second is good will go into third very few times as soon as i let the clutch out about half way it pops out !! fourth gear grinds and 5th and 6th are great

 

I thought the T56 had internal stops?

 

Okay, everyone can now bask in my retarded-ness.

I pulled the console and boot out and I discovered the bolts, ALL FOUR OF THEM, were looser than Paris Hilton on an average Tuesday. I could literally rock the whole shifter and plate up and down and remove the threads with my fingers.

On the B&M shifter, the threads have allen-wrench heads on them, so I made sure I drowned them in loctite and put them in tight.

I figured I'd follow through since some day someone maybe searching and find this thread if they're having a similar problem.

 

sometimes the most stupid little thing will be your problem. nice find and good fix.

 

you're welcome.