70 swinger gas tank install issues

Anyone have any tips for installing a new fuel tank? I have spent at least 4 hours today trying to get it in with Vaseline and wd40. I have tried just about everything and can not get the fuel filler neck into the seal at the tank. I have even tried installing the neck into seal while on the ground. Any tips to doing this? The seal will go around the neck no issue but not when it's on the tank.

Also are the tank bolts suppose to be mounted toward the inside or outside of the bracket on the trunk floor?