Are you talking about the joint at the top of the steering shaft in the engine compartment?
If so, I'll tell you how my 71 hooks up.
the steering column has a splined shaft with a groove cut into it at a 90 degree angle to the splines. the coupling on the lower shaft will slide up onto the column splines. it must slide up far enough so that the bolt in the pincher fits into the groove on the splined column shaft.
The column and the pincher must be lined up properly before being slid together, once together then install the bolt and tighten. (if you have the bolt installed in the pincher before attemting to slide it onto the shaft you will not be able to slide it up far enough).
Ps If the lower shaft coupling is flush with the column and the bolt wont drop in then remove and realign the shaft and try again.
Tell us what you find.
Clark
[This message has been edited by Clark (edited 07-16-99).]