The other day i wanted to start my TA and move it out of the garage but the battery was about dead and it wouldn't start up fast enough probably because of a carb problem also.
So i was just going to put it in neutral and push it out but with the engine off but the shifter in neutral it wouldn't budge at all, the wheels were locked up like it was in gear still.

Today i charged the battery and it shot some starter fluid in it and it started right up great, and went into gear and moved forward and back no problem at all.

What is up with this?

Is there something i'm missing here or does this car have to have some electric to even shift out of gear?

Thanks.

has the batt died since?

it hasn't yet, but it's only been one day so far.
Up till now it has stayed charged pretty good but i haven't drove it much lately because of a carb problem and a leaky valve cover gasket.

As long as the key is in the ignition and turned to the run position the shifter will work. Otherwise there's an interlock from the steering column to the shifter assembly that will prevent it from working (so someone couldn't steal your car by putting it in neutral and towing it away, or rolling it down the street).

This was with the key in the on position and the shifter did move to neutral position but it seemed the tires were still locked like in park because when i tried to push the car they wouldn't budge just like in park they will just barely rock about a inch.

This isn't an electrical problem. Sounds like the shifter cable is loose or out of adjustment. If the car was on a sever incline it could be theta the parking pawl wouldn't release, but then the shifter shouldn't have moved. You'd have to be on an incredibly steep hill anyway, so I think you can rule that out.

This is the first time it's ever done this so maybe the cables are loose or something.
It's parked on level ground .
thanks.

Check the nut that holds the lever on the shaft coming out of the trans. Make sure the cable is connected at both ends.

Just make sure your e-brake is on when you're checking the linkage...trying to get out from underneath a car that's about a tenth of a second away from rolling off the jackstands isn't very fun.

I needed new front tires anyway.....