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
My maternal grandfather was going to teacher my grandmother how to drive. Garage door behind was open. Well, grandmother reved the engine a bit and let the clutch out, straight through the garage wall, into the yard. Grandmother never got another driving lesson.