AJackOfFewTrades

Only had a bit of time to work on it today but definitely found something. I started taking apart the rear side due to my bearing puller not fitting the way I like on the front side. Found idk what to call it behind the rear lock nut with a little ball locker rusted or stuck with 5th gear. I don't really have any good pictures of just how nasty it looked but after cleaning and just throwing it back in since im just testing and I need to order new lock nuts etc. I was able to spin the sides independently with no gears engaged and each gear seemed to work. Not done yet though since in neutral there seems to still be quite a bit of drag and a pretty bad hang up but it still will spin just with some effort particularly spinning in one direction(curious if normal). I'll see if I can get some videos later.

History I know about the car is it was stolen and titled salvage sometime in the late 80s. My box of papers begin in the early 90s with listed 280z parts so I imagine that was when the 280z engine and transmission were put in by a previous owner, and not a shop because of how detailed the receipts are. When I drained the fluid it wasn't the clearest Ive seen and had a bit of medal on the magnet but no larger bits or anything crazy, and just seemed to me a while since the last change. I'll measure everything before pulling it part and see if anything seems weird.

Finally had some time to pull the transmission and take some videos. Only thing I don't think that showed up on video being limited by two arms is no matter the gear selection or trying to be in neutral holding the output or input shaft and turning the other either way wouldn't really work and binds. Looking at videos online it seems without a gear selected they should move independently without a gear selected if applying a bit of pressure. Leads me to believe something on the inside of gears on the input side is stuck. I'll also note whoever last worked on this transmission used WAY to much RTV sealing the transmission casings together making it a pain to break open. Video1.mp4 Video2.mp4

Alright so symptoms have changed a bit. I have attached images and videos with before and after new shifter bushings. Before the bushings I took a video and it shows the no output in gear issue, and the spinning tires in natural. Post bushings It seem I have output in all gears but still also in neutral, but I'm getting a noise from the transmission. I'm not 100% sold it was the bushings making the difference and not something freeing up. Post_Bushings.mp4 Pre_Bushings.mp4

Probably be a few days before I have time to get out there but I'll try and take some pictures and videos during testing.

Correct, I can start the car on the ground with the clutch pedal depressed.

If the clutch disc and pressure plate were rusted together wouldn't I not be able to start the engine with the clutch pedal down? Not saying its not possible but it doesn't make sense to someone with a mild case of stupid.

I agree that its probably gear selection rather then the hydraulics. Parts are being shipped and I'll update after I throw them on.

Background: Car is a 260Z swapped with a NA L28 and matching 5 speed manual by the PO. Car was running and shifting fine before sitting a few months, after which it would start right up however releasing the clutch would kill the car as if it was in gear. After initial inspection I found the master cylinder bone dry with $^!# at the bottom, I then replaced the master and slave cylinder with new fluid and bled the system a bunch. Issue still remains. Some tests and other troubleshooting I've done so far. After lifting the car and testing the gears I found the tires spinning forward when it is in neutral when I let off the pedal. Shifting the lever I can "get" into any of the gears at least it feels that way when I have the clutch down. Letting the clutch out in some gears like 1st will spin the tires and seem ok at least in the air, some gears like 4th will not spin the output of the transmission and no spin on the tires but will bog the engine and will die even with tires off the ground (and parking brake was off during all tests I should add). Reverse is one such gear that won't spin the output. I'm out of ideas that don't involve taking the trans out or to the shop. Any help or ideas would be appreciated