A body tie rod end to center link issue

Hello all, rebuilding suspension on my 68 barracuda and I am having trouble with getting the inner tie rod end to go into the center link. I have started on passenger side and when I went to push the inner tie rod into the steering centerlink I noticed the threads don't stick through enough and I cant get it to push through or tap in to start the nut. I believe the tie rod end is tapered and I have tried using a little C clamp, but no go. Don't want to mess anything up, so right now my plan is to take driver side tie rod ends and sleeves off and the center link out and use a vise to squeeze them in, then put it all on all assembled. Any advice appreciated, thanks.