well it might be that the shift leaver is a little loose and dropping down when you are adjusting the arms underneath, if the trans goes into neutral without the linkage hooked up it will after it is, maybe use something to hold the lever up while your under there adjusting the linkage.
do you have a issue with rust? the body could be shifted just enough to mis-align the linkage. it sounds like a wear issue with linkage.
maybe i thought of that the eye hole on the linkage to the trans does look like it has wear. how do i fithat or can i make a new one or i could weld it up and redrill it ..
it would really have to be worn not to find neutral, it would help if you could post some nice clear pics of the whole setup.
I had a similar problems on my truck when I switched back to colum shift from the ****tily installed floor shifter. I spent 3 hours bending and adjusting linkage, and it still aint quite right. That linkage is a *****. Just take your time and you'll find the problem. I had trouble with the shifter on the column wanting to fall while I was uder the truck getting the Linkage just right. Try wiring or taping the Shifter to the steering wheel wile your adjusting the linkage rods. Good Luck Jeff
lol that s what ive been doing to get it adjusted. ill post pics, i was thinking of going with a hurst floor shifter master shift 3 speed . just need to find one for my ******......thanks again everyone
fix it the rods were to long i bent them then test fitted it then bent it some more. drove it around the block hitting each gear. thanks guys.