The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Driveline 1950 chev truck clutch fork to ball

I don't think you have the spring in wrong, it just has to snap over the ball. Although it looks like the left side of the spring in your first picture may be bent down a bit too much. It should stand forward like the right side does. Maybe the ball is already down in the socket and the spring isn't retaining it. You could remove the ball and try fitting it on the bench to check for the spring being the proper shape.

It should snap in with just a little force. I recall putting mine in after the tranny was in place and slipped the fork behind the throwout bearing and pried on the end of the arm where the clutch linkage attaches to get it snapped in place.