big P

i have a 306 in an 88 ford ranger and have been experiencing problems.
1st of all when trying to get in reverse, it just does not want to go? im thinking solenoids
2nd it is extremely hard to get into any gear including 1st. especially a problem with the reverse issue because it only works if i can get it into 5th the go straight to rev.
then my last problem as of now would be with me losing power in 3rd and 4th gear between 3 and 4 thousand rpm.
well off to work if yall have had the same problems let me know.

AdderMk2

well since this is your first post, i will clue you in on a fw secrets...

you generally want to include all of the information about your vehicle... we have gathered so far that its an 88 ranger with a 302 bored 30 over... but your asking about your transmission.
you mentioned solenoids... then mentioned 5th gear (automatics have solenoids.. but no 5th gear, manuals have 5th gear, but no solenoids)

if your driving an automatic... its time for a rebuild
if your driving a stick... its time for a clutch

hunterzach_02

Might need to adjust the clutch cable.

Twisted

Try putting it in a forward gear before putting it in reverse--third works well. I just do that as a matter of course in any manual car. Seems to make reverse synch up better. By the way, most stick cars I've owned are this way.