Got under the car and discovered that the rubber bushings that connect the shifter rods to the levers on the tranny were dry rot. The first and second gear rod bushing was broken in two peices with the rod not making contact with the lever arm. I set the reverse rod and lever back to neutral position as well as the others. I then replaced all these bushings. Soaked them in hand soap before install to allow them to be pushed into position more easily
all is good with all gears now