(another) Shifter adjustment question

[h20dawg]

Car: 85 911 coupe (stock)

I have just finished replacing all the shifter bushings and am running into an issue. My shift rod bushing bracket does not attach to the center tunnel, it attaches directly to the shifter mounting base. The issue I am having is when everything is in place, I can't get the two bolts to engage the bracket. Since the base is covering the opening (in the tunnel), I also can't get at the bracket to hold it in place until I can get the bolts to engage.

What trick am I missing? Wayne's book (101 911 projects) is vague on this issue as is the Bentley manual. Does anyone have any suggestions on how to accomplish this?

I tried searching but came up empty.