1979 308 GTS USA Version Shift Rod Problem

Photo may help others to help you…..

 

If it was in gear and you were twisting the axles from side to side you could maybe you could have thrown the fork out of alignment.... I would:
disconnect the shafts
drain the trans fluid
pull the transmission pan
make sure the fork is in the right position - The fork cannot slip on the shaft there is a bolt that keeps it in place. it just needs to be rotated.
Reconnect the shafts and test shifting in the car and possibly have someone under confirming the fork is engaging the gears
clean the gasket surfaces on both the trans and pan
install new gasket and reinstall trans pan
new trans fluid
lower car, drive, check for leaks.

OR WHILE YOU'RE IN THERE.......
replace your shift bushing (Verell's delrin ones)

• If you have any oil leak from she shift shaft seal on the front you could:
• lift your center console, disconnect the forward shift shaft on the other end, remove the shifter - disassemble, clean, grease, rebuild, install new bushing on that end too
• Drain the oil, remove your dipstick and dipstick housing from the engine block. (its also easier if you remove your alternator), remove oil temp sensor, remove the oil pan.
• Slide the (forward) shift shaft forward,
• Remove the fork from the engine shift shaft then slide the shaft out the front
• Remove and replace the shift shaft seals with Verell's quad seals or oem
• Reinstall everything in reverse order
• Possible additional but good step is to add the additional oil baffle from the aftermarket parts providers.

Here is the definitive thread on the topic from @Robz328 : https://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/threads/robzworkz-2-shifter-shift-shaft-improvement.282800/

You can go crazy or just do the steps you need.

 

Just remove the pan. It will be self explanatory.

 

You totally could! You will just have to repeat everything you're doing now and a whole lot more. However, its summer, I have the bottom of my engine wide open doing this (and way other stuff) and I wont be back on the road for a year. Drain the trans, remove the bottom, re-align and put it back together. The other stuff is kind of time consuming with extra steps. Get out and drive! It says you are in Maine. You will know more for your winter project.

Oh - the one "pay attention" part about pulling the trans pan is the springs and balls - do it slowly and try to bring it down level. mine stuck to the pan (bag and tag and take a pic to put back in the right order. Its all in robz thread above. Make sure you don't over tighten the nuts when putting the pan back on.

If you haven't been in there, its pretty cool. I found it kind of cathartic as it completed my understanding of "when I change gears, this is what's moving back there."