Z-bar help

[Murfdawg]

I hope someone can tell me the secret to installing the z-bar in a 65 c10 with a 350.
I removed the z-bar to install a set of Hooker headers. I had a hard time removing the z-bar but found an angle which allowed it to come out. Now that I have installed the header I can't get the z-bar back in because the one angle that worked to get it out is not available anymore. The header will not interfere with the z-bar once I get it in. It's like it is too long to fit over the pivot ball and mount in the frame bracket. There has to be some trick to this that I can't figure out.
Thanks for your help!