You are correct. If they are working with the cover off then ithere is no problem there.  When you are trying to shift into gear, did you try spining the input shaft?

If all 3 forks slide back and forth will that indicate that the top cover is working OK? Again When I get cover off again I will take pictures! Thanks!

I finally got the Top cover off yesterday and it didn't take much if any effort to free up the 3-4 rail. I cleaned it up the best I could, Polished some rusty spots with Crocus cloth and tried to reinstall the cover to test! the 1-2 and the  3-4 appear to be lined up with their respective grooves, so far the Reverse fork won't seem to line up and now I can't get the cover off again! the transmission looks pretty clean inside and nothing looks out of place in my eyes. Am I missing any tricks considering this is the first transmission I have taken apart since High School Shop Class in 1973? When I get the cover off again I won't forget to take Pictures. Thanks.

What temps are you guys hitting in the heat of summer. Had a busy month with parades and car shows the last couple of weeks but had a 4th parade yesterday and the temps outside were 95 plus. In the parade I got up to 190 or just over,and on the ride home with a lot of steep hills got almost to 200 but came down to 175/180.  Thanks.

I got 1st and 2nd free yesterday soaking it and "MASSAGING" it with a Big Rubber hammer! If I can get 3rd and 4th loose this week I will give it it's First Yard Drive in Many years! Clutching My Rosaries!