ed,
What I don't understand is that if I put the gears in 1st then straight into reverse from 1st, then the gears are already moving in the forward direction then slamming them into the opposite. Maybe I don't understand how the system works that well, but to me it seems that by doing that it would mess things up even more. And besides, the gears grind going into reverse whether I go staight from neutral or if I go from 1st gear. How does puting it in 1st gear apply "the brakes"? Should I press on the clutch and the brake at the same time when I put it into reverse?
joel
1976 MGB with a 1977 engine