Gear shift cover alignment 1952 Dodge pickup

Hi all. I'm trying to re***emble a 1952 Dodge 3/4 T pilot house pickup and am running into a snag trying to line everything up in the gear shift box. I cannot seem to completely set the gear shift and the gear box cover into place very easily. Every now and then things line up right and I'm able to pull it off. But it takes hours sometimes. Can anyone clue me in on how to best set the shift shaft and the gear box cover into place more easily? Thanx, Miha

 

Maybe your going about it the same as your going about asking question here on the HAMB without reading the rules first. READ THE DAMN "STICKY" at the top of this page

 

I agree with wbrw32 but we all make mistakes welcome from WI