That was all great advice folks. Patience was key. Lots of little adjustments to position and angle and it got within the length of the bolts and snugged right up.
Everything else lined up and off the stands it came.
BUT- when I put the shift lever back in, there is no movement. By the position, it seems stuck in third gear, although I had positioned in for fourth before going to install.
Here is what I have tried so far-
Remove and replace the shift lever, trying at various points to get movement.
Rotating the trans, with and without the clutch depressed.
Started the car (new clutch works great) and eased out the clutch. Stalled quickly.
Rolling the car- sort of trying to bump it. Was doing this on my own, and there isn't much room in the driveway.
Did get the car to move, easing the clutch out, and moved it to a parking spot, but no sense of change in the shift lever being able to move.
What are the ways I can get the linkage to move?
Any tricks known?
Don't want to have to remove and fiddle with the gear box, which has been trouble free.
Thanks for your attention!