I have 81 Caddy, it has no reverse lockout. Shifts right into reverse or first without pushing down on the shifter.
Remove the shift boot and have a look at the reverse lockout gate, it's probably broken
Can you still push down on the shifter? Sometimes the spring or related pieces break and the shifter is just always down.
Yes I can push down on the shifter. I was looking at it of the lift today. I think maybe the rod is in the wrong position(off a few splines)