Hot Rods Houdaille Lever Shock Arms

I have a pair of '40s era Houdaille lever shocks that are surprisingly not frozen. The arms sit about a 1/2" above my perches not leaving room for dogbone links. Can the arms be removed and repositioned to fit the dogbones or do they have to mount horizontally? Any pics of how to overcome this issue on a lowered car would be appreciated.

 

Anyone running lever shocks on a dropped axle?
Model A body on Model A frame.

 

Its not critical the arms are horizontal. If its a stock frame and axle there is limited vertical movement which is within the available travel of the shock.