okay well the whining noise is coming from the timing belt.
and its hard to get into 1st and 2nd every now and then.
if that helps any.. to give a little more info
idk how to really explain noises..
i'll stick with my answer on the 1st one.
the 2nd could be the shifter hitting the exaust "if its a short throw" if not then i would go to the trans.