Bad cable shifter or tranny fork?

[SHO--ripper]

I am going to buy an 89 depending on whether it needs new cables, or the transmission fork is bent/broken. The guy who is selling the car said he shifted from 2nd to 3rd and when it was in neutral it felt very tight instead of loose like it usually does. Then when in 3rd it felt loose. Now he can't find first and usually starts it in 3rd gear. Only to move it from one side of the street to another. Has this ever happened to anyone? This car would be an awsome deal if it was the cable shifter causing this problem. If there are a few responses saying it is probably the cables i am going to pay the $80 for FORD to look at it. If the general consensus is that it is the fork, then the search for a new SHO will continue . Imput is much appreciated

 

[munkee]

It sounds like one of the cables slipped off of the socket on the trans. If you can only hit second and third I would definitely say it is cable related.

 

[SHO--ripper]

He can hit 3d,4th,5th. Not 1st usually not 2nd.