Bad Transmission/Gear Synch or Just need new clutch?

1987 Accord DX 223,000 miles.
Original clutch.
Sometimes almost impossible to get into first gear from dead stop - will go
into 1st easily while still coasting to a stop.
Very hard to get into reverse.
No noise from transmission when driving - just hard to get into gears.
Is the transmission gear synchronization going or is it only a worn out
clutch?
Thanks for your thoughts.

 

does it grind when trying to go into reverse? if so, clutch is not
disengaging properly, a sign of age. if a cable clutch, check it's
properly adjusted.

if not going into first, may be the same issue, but could also be
general gear wear. again, check the clutch first & report back.

 

Same as Jim suggests - the clutch is dragging. There are several reasons
this may be so... a bad pilot bearing, friction of the clutch disc on the
splines of the input shaft, even a warped clutch disc. Other than a problem
with the clutch linkage (or possibly lack of lubricant in the gearbox), all
the other repairs involve the same as a clutch replacement.

The certain test for a dragging clutch is to jack one or both front wheels,
put the car in gear, hold the clutch down and start the car. Keep the clutch
down and ask a helper to see if the wheel(s) is/are turning. If so, the
clutch is dragging.

Mike