85' F150: I just replaced the clutch in my truck. I need help putting the trans. top cover back on...I thought it was in reverse when I took it off, but maybe not. Help!!

 

The couple times I've pulled the top cover off a trans I've had it in neutral. This was for a ZF5, which had a ball on the bottom of the shift tower that fits into a socket on the piece that pushes the shift rails around. I'm not sure what the inside of a NP435 looks like, but I'd imagine there is some sort of similar arrangement.

It shouldn't so much matter what gear the trans is in as long as you put the end of the shifter back into the spot its supposed to fit in.

 

The Chilton, says the trans should be in reverse when removing the top cover. I tried getting everything into neutral now though...no luck after about a dozen tries :/

 

I was hoping there was a certain process to get it back on.