from a dead stop i have trouble getting into 1st...its not really a grind, its just tough, almost as if i have to force it... if i were rolling into gear it goes easy...
i dont want to assume a bad tranny...bushings?

 

clutch cable maybe?with the car turned off, does it go into gear properly?

 

yup, goes in really smooth
i tried going 2nd then first, helps

 

By you putting it in 2nd gear means you are alighning the syncros, which will then make putting it in first easy.

That means first gear SYNCROS