just put engine back in and the ball of the wish bone is off about an eight of an inch. while I go back and keep trying, do you have any suggestions?
I loosened the wish bone at the perch and also tried pulling it tight.
Next I am thinking about loosening up the u-joint ball cap and seeing if that will do anything.
I would tap it with a rubber mallet until it goes in.
The ball joint has nothing to do with the wishbone. Tighten the nuts and cotter pins back on the perches put a jack under the wishbone back by the ball and pop her in. Put the cap, springs, nuts and safety wire on and be done with it. There should be enough play in the front spring to allow an 1/8 inch pull back but if you feel like it's needed loosen the nuts holding the spring to the frame and re tighten and cotter pin after the ball is in place.
The position of the wishbone depends on the weight in the car. If it is too far forward from the crankcase, you can increase the weight on the car and it should go in place. After you put on the cap you can then remove the excess weight. Or if the weight is too much, the wishbone could be too far back. In that case, raise the center of the car and it should go in. If it is off from side to side, you have a problem with the alignment of the front axle or the frame is bent.
Norm
Loosen the clamp that holds the front spring into the front crossmember. Install the wishbone into the socket with cap, studs, springs, and nuts and safety wire. DON'T use cotter pins here!!!. Retighten the spring mount and install cotter pins. All done!!!
On two Model T rebuilds I have had to use a "come a long" ratchet system between the front axle and the rear axle to fit the ball in the socket properly. That way you do not have to loosen anything in the front spring area. Both have been driven many thousands of miles since the rebuild and steer/track perfectly.