[renaissance man]

Steve,

This is how my sidepipe to header is setup as well. I haven't had much trouble? All I might be able to add is when you are sitting on the ground, balance the sidepipe on your lap. Already have the front tire removed as it's much easier to manuvure this way. You'll probably have to barely place one header tube into the sidepipe at a time using your left hand (if you are on the drivers side) to separate and help guide each tube into the prospective pipe on the sidepipe. Do so ever so slightly with each one trying to barely have them go into the other pipe. Once barely inside the lip a good shove will make them go on. Not much help I know? Patience......