Shudder While Engaging 1st Gear

[CriticalMass]

Thanks for the help, guys. I got everything uncovered and the drive shaft out today. I expected to run into seized bolts or other complications but it's gone pretty smoothly so far. I was out of time for the day so I just broke all the bolts free on the trans and bellhousing and I think I'll wait until I can have a friend help me lift the transmission out of the vehicle to go any further.

I did hit one snag with a single bolt on the bellhousing that's too tight/close to the bellhousing to get a thin walled socket around. It also happens to be in that 'sweet' spot where if I rotate it with a wrench until I hit the frame, I still can't get around the next side of the bolt to continue loosening it up. So I'll have to figure that one out, but otherwise I'm just happy that I'm not already curled up in the fetal position on the floor of my garage. Of course I know that I've only dealt with the easy part so far...

I'm sure I'll have more questions once I get this thing cracked open and these forums are a great resource, so thanks again.