This pic should give you an idea of what the shifter linkage looks like.



The 1st/2nd and 3rd/4th rods go through the shifter tunnel.
The reverse rod goes underneath the crossmember on an E=Body.

Another pic.



If the forward gear shift rods are dragging the crossmember it sounds like a sagged trans mount.

If the reverse rod doesn't go underneath the crossmember it's the wrong reverse rod and possibly the wrong shifter.