Shifter Problems...

Am I correct in understanding from your description that when you let out the clutch after shifting into second gear it grinds?
Or does it grind when moving the shifter towards second gear.
If it grinds after it's supposedly in second gear you have a torn up gear set and not a shifter problem.

it grinds once I shift into second and let off the clutch, however, Oldmanmopar said the whole linkage could be messed up because they mounted the reverse lever upside down, which would prevent it from shifting into 2nd.