Difficult to get A833 four speed into reverse

Hi everone,
When I purchased my 1975 Duster, it had a transplanted 1970 383, 4 speed and rear from a 1970(?) Road Runner complete with the pistol grip shifter. The shifter was never meant for an A body or for a bench seat.
I swapped it out for the correct shifter and white ball handle (thanks Brewers).
Now I cannot 'twist' the shifter while attempting to shift into reverse.
With the pistol grip I would sort of twist the handle to the left (counter clockwise) while pointing / pushing towards the pedals to get it into reverse - worked fine.
The correct handle make this soooo much more difficult that it takes several cuss ridden attempts. It's frickin hard to find reverse now. I cannot twist the shifter now like I could the pistol grip (different shape and geometery).
It's so bad that I now find myself parking in spots that won't require me to reverse. Thank goodness for the reverse light - saved me from launching through the garage!

Are there any adjustments to the shifter rods or other parts that would make finding / shifting into reverse easier?
Nothing other than the bayonet style shifter swap was changed. Has anyone found a trick or method to get deal with this?

TIA for any guidence you may have.
Dean