Just so you know, working on tranny involves splitting the cases..
But SOP is......remove engine sidecovers, leave alternator and clutch on.
Undo top case bolts, then flip engine upside down and block it up.
Then lower case bolts , and split cases... not really as bad as it sounds..
If shifter forks were not lined up correctly, it could prevent shifting..
That IS why you Always. .always .. roll thru the gears and check that they are all there.. before bottoming up the rest. .