[blykins]

The McLeod fork uses a long spring tab that clips into a the pivot in the bellhousing. The pivot should be an "L" or "T" shaped bracket with a little slot in it. The fork's spring tab clips into that slot on the pivot.

There are two major types of vintage Ford fork pivots. The 1st one is the one that I just described. The second one is just a wire spring clip, I think home in most big block Galaxies.

As for changing the fork out in the bellhousing with the bearing already installed, I think it would be a no-go unless the transmission was out.

But you were going to change the clutch kit too though, right?