Strange trans problem. What actually keeps it in gear?

[racepar1]

Originally Posted by Tedskiii

Well it mainly slides out when I dump the clutch in second hard to initiate. Would you suggest replacing all my shifter hardware aswell? I'm almost positive the stuff is worn/old. Will check out this inspection plate.

Also nobody has answered my question about the pilot bearing. Are you supposed to press it all the way in, or only flush?

You just drive the pilot bushing in flush, you should be fine. If you're going to try a different oil I would suggest a GL4 oil like the Amsoil. I have heard just as much complaints as praise of the redline stuff so I would suggest the Amsoil. The gear oil CAN make the trans shift funny or grind into gear, but it CANNOT make the transmission pop out of gear.

The shift boot idea is ridiculous. If the tension on the shifter from the shift boot being installed incorrectly causes your trans to pop-out then there is something wrong with your trans. I've seen a million shift boots backwards and not one of them popped out of gear.

Installing the clutch and/or throwout bearing incorrectly would also not cause popping out. That would also cause funny shifting/grinding alone.

Make sure that the bushing on the tip of your shifter is installed. I have seen those missing before and that could cause the trans to not go completely into gear, which would cause it to pop-out.

Other than that there is NOTHING external to the transmission that would cause it to pop-out. It could be worn shift linkage internal to the trans, but you would have to tear the trans completely apart to fix that. It could be in the synchros, gears, or blocking rings. BUT those issues would require a full rebuild as well.

You're clutching at straws here, the problem is inside the transmision.