grindin in first gear while pulling out from a stop

EDIT: i reread your post and might be confused. does it grind going into gear or as you release the clutch to start moving? My post below assumes it grinds going into gear.


Sounds like the synchro is going out. Cold fluid helps the synchro slow down the input shaft and go into gear. as it heats up the fluid doesnt help out.

Can you shift while stopped into second, and then without releasing the clutch go into first without it grinding? If it doesn't grind, it is almost for sure your 1st gear synchronizer.

If it still grinds it must be your pilot bearing binding and still turning the input shaft while you try to shift. This would probably affect other gears but would be most noticed from a stop I imagine.

Synchro and bearing kits can be had for ~$300 but the transmission has to come out and come apart. You'll need a well equipped shop if you want to try it yourself.

No- that was to diagnose a different problem.
I don't know the specifics of the 3650 so I can't diagnose but grinding under power is never a good sign. Time for a rebuild. I say pull it now before something breaks and takes the rest of the trans with it.
Ebay has rebuilt units for ~$750 but you could possibly get a used one from MPS (they are local to me and always have a nice supply) for around 400.