4 speed shifter problems need help here

Bill
That is a 71-74 E-body or 71-74 B-Body style shifter mechanism and is not going to work correctly in an A-Body. As was mentioned you are also going to need the correct A-Body shifter mounting plate.

we keep this up and I might as well go out and buy a new car. someone said it didn't matter about that shifter. is it the wrong one.