Shift rod and stuck in first problem

[Ovalz]

having a problem with my 57 ragtop have the original shift rod in it got a rebuilt transmission it was a 71, the problem is I had swing axles in it for a long time originally cut off the crash box training Mount and mounted and aftermarket swing axle mount never had a problem with my 62 swing axle training going in it and shifting now when I put this rebuilt one in there from a 71 infrequently gets caught in first gear and I can't seem to put it in reverse rack in my brain about what's going on my friend welded on a tip on it thats adjustable and I know the shift rod has a bend in it slightly just at a loss how I can fix this when I do try to go in reverse it's so difficult and then it gets stuck in first thanks.