I installed an 88 HF L3 5 speed on to a d15z1 into my 90 CRX.

It wont shift into 2nd 4th or Rev. gears at all!!
and will go into 1st 3rd 5th and neutral but its not as smooth as it should be.

I got the transmission from a local junkyard. it came out of an 88 HF with 58k miles on it. but it looks like it might have been stored outside.

What would make a transmission not want to go into those gears?

(its not the clutch cable because I just changed that out with a new honda OEM one, and its adjusted correctly)

 

Maybe a bent or incorrectly attached shift rod (from shifter to tranny).
Completely beat motor mounts may shift the drive train enough to cause the shift rod to be out place as well.
Internal issues (bent forks, not assembled properly, etc) would be possible as well.

 

I'll try and un bolt the Linkage and move it by hand...

Thanks!

 

I just put in my new clutch cable and am getting really worried now, I'm 2 weeks over when this should have been done and am running out of time fast!!!

With the new cable in tight or out loose, the clutch won't fully disengage!!! It goes into 1st 3rd and 5th when it's off. And when it's running it will go into 3rd and 5th but I can hear the clutch slipping even before I release the peddle!

The axles are in and tight, I'm really starting to regret this swap and Honda Crx purchase

 

So what happened when you unbolted and tried shifting by hand?
clutch sounds like it is either completely dead or was installed wrong.

 

Ok, just got in! I have some good news! After taking the linkage pin out and link, I realized it was upside down! (the b16 tranny that was in there had to have it inverted...)

I was then able to shift into all gears by hand with my screwdriver in the pin hole, I attached it and it now goes in all gears when it's off...

When it's running, the it's like the cable is too loose... But it's tight and new... when in 1st it wants to roll forward.

I drove it around the block and it was really hard to shift unless I rev-matched it.

Tranny has 50k miles
Clutch, pressure plate, bearings, axles, hubs, clutch cable, flywheel are all NEW

The clutch is installed correctly, I took out the tranny for a second time last wknd to double check!

 

I think you have the Clutch cable set too tight.
Here is how I set mine;

Jack the front of the car up, get both front wheels off the ground.
Start up the car and put it in neutral
if the tires are spinning fast, the clutch is still engaged.
Adjust the cable untill you can have the car in the air and the tires not spin, or spin slowly.

Worked well for me. Maybe that will help you.

 

Do you mean put it in 1st with the clutch pedal in?

Thanks!

 

The clutch cable bracket is bent, so I borrowed a buddy's and still no dice!!! I can shift through all gears with 1 finger, but when it's running it barely goes into 3rd and none of the others!!!

And when running and in 3rd with the clutch pedal in to the floor and cable all the way tight, I can hear it slipping like sandpaper!

Can a clutch be too thick?

 

I used a 2x4 and a floorjack and lifted up the clutch arm on the tranny as high as it would go without breaking it, then jumped in the car and tried to shift into gear after starting it...

Still just as hard! I think the clutch, pressure plate or flywheel is too thick...

 

It's a stage 1 centerforce clutch/pressureplate, and a New autozone flywheel...

Any chance the clutch / pressure plate were designed for a flywheel that has been turned down?

I have my cable WAY to tight the engagement is at the very top of the pedal! I'm tempted to put some small shims in between the flywheel and the pressure plate, like small washers, like 1/32 thick... This would defiantly make things work!