Water Pump Replacement w/ New Gasket on Water Pump Backing Plate 351C

I had to replace my water pump. I removed the water pump and discovered a backing plate on the water pump is also a timing chain cover. This cover came loose from the engine block so I knew I had to replace the gasket. I pulled the harmonic balancer cleaned the old gasket material from the backing plate and applied a new gasket. This cover has a U-shape gasket at the bottom which sits on the oil pan. I can not get this U-shape gasket installed. It just doesn't fit. Does anyone out there have a trick to get this U-shaped gasket to fit?
 
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