HELP - Hard to shift 4-speed 300TD

[StaggerLee]

I recently purchased a 1981 300TD that was converted to a 4-speed. About 1/2 the time shifting is smooth-when it's not, the symptoms are:
1. Can't get it into reverse (Gears are spinning). If the car is in reverse when I start it, it acts as if the clutch is not fully disengaged and tries to move backwards.
2. Difficult to get into 2nd and even harder to get into 1st (at a stop). No grinding (like in reverse) but just hard to make it go.

Is this a bleeding issue? Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.