So in the process of installing my fresh IP and after an hour or 2 of trying cant manage to get the IP gear aligned correctly so itll slide all the way in (not even making it to the O-ring) so was wondering if anyone had any ideas on how to make it easier for those of us that are IP replacment first timers

 

The pump should have an alinement dowel on the flange that the timing gear bolts to, and the timing gear will have a hole for that dowel slides into. Turn the shaft on the pump to get the dowel to aline with the hole in the gear, and it should slide together.