Pitbullboy

Had a problem with the original AOD in my 89gt, found another that was supposedly out of an 88, I noticed that the little arm on the side where the linkage connects on the original faces down and forward but on the replacement it up and facing the back of the car. Not quite sure what to do here, ive been told to cut the arm off the orig. and weld it to the replacement but not so sure i want to go that route. As it is everything is backwards from where i need it to be to get this back on the street, plus id really like my garage back sometime soon, would an aftermarket shifter help this problem?? any suggestions would greatly help