Hard to shift or not at all..Manual 4 speed

Needing some help with shifting problems.  I have a manual 4 speed behind a 440 & is hard to shift, some times even the shifting seems to get lost can't get it in any gear except reverse.  Eventually I get in in gear, sometimes I can't get it into second, have to go to third then next stop smooth as silk.  Lastly after driving some it will grind attempting to go into reverse.  Tried adjusting the clutch & grease shifter.  It seems likely their is only certain areas to look in, clutch shifter mechanism , linkage or transmission itself.  Just wondering if anyone can offer a hint I can try.

Thanks,
Raceware  

providing your shifter is in good shape,you can try to adjust it. the number one rule is, any time you unbolt the shifter for any reason, you have to check lever alignment. they never seem to bolt back on in the same place. first find neutral, then remove the rods from the levers at the tranny end. if you look at the shifter base and levers you'll see a small slot. if you take a piece of round stock, or a bolt or even an allen key, something that will fit snug without binding, push it through making sure it comes out the back side of the shifter. if you have lever stops, back those off. now take the rods and depending where the swivel is, turn the rod untill it falls into the lever on the tranny with no effort. the rods shouldn't be tight and should jiggle a little. now pull out the pin and check to see how it works. if it feels good, put the shifter in 1st or 3rd and adjust the front lever stop, 2nd and 4th for the rear. if this don't help, you'll be buying a new shihter and buy a good one because it realy do'es make a differance  

Thanks for the input very helpful.

Thanks,
Raceware  

It may be a couple of things. if the pressure plate is not releasing evenly it will keep the clutch disc spinning. Be sure that the clutch linkage is throwing the release arm far enough to disengage the clutch.
Also if the pilot bearing in the end of the crankshaft is binding it will keep the input shaft on the transmission spinning which will cause grinding into reverse and binding going into the 4 forward gears. Either way it will have to come apart.
when you get it apart look at the pressure plate and disc and see if it has hot spots on it were it looks like it is rubbing in a certain area. Should be darker than other areas.
Then also check the pilot bearing and look at the input shaft coming out of the front of the transmission and see at the tip of it is rusted or real dry. signs of binding etc.  

I don't believe it is a clutch or pilot shaft binding issue.  You said the only gear you can get into sometimes is rev.  This rules those things out.  If the clutch was hanging or pilot shaft binding, rev would grinding and the others might work.  Follow what rzym is saying.  It sure sounds like a shifter problem.
Don