4 speed shifter problems need help here

Hi Bill,
Sorry to hear of the domestic issues. Prayers.
Something to try.
In your post #22, 2nd picture, you show the shifter pinned and bolted to the adapter plate. Just by that picture it appears to me the shifter may be canted back toward the end of the output shaft. You may just need a different (correct) adapter.
Get everything back to this position including pin for shifter gate alignment.
Make sure you are in neutral on all three shift points. Output shaft will turn free of the input.
Remove the reverse rod and only work with the 1-2 and 3-4 rods
Set the adjustment on the two rods to about midway in their threads.
Check for fit. Too long? Remove the lower shifter bolt and pivot the shifter forward to see if the rods will drop in with minimal adjusting.
Let us know what you find.

Dave