I put the engine in (with jkeyzer's help), but not the shift bar. Now I can't seem to get the shift bar in. I did manage to get the bushing in though.

It's an early car (70) and a sideshift bar. I'm using a regular tailshift bushing because the previous owner of the sideshift bar put a sleeve on it instead of using a conversion bushing.

I can get it most of the way in through the bottom or the top, but not all the way. Am I screwed? Does everyone that does a sideshift conversion have to pull the engine? Can I get by with putting a jack under the engine and just removing the engine mounting bar?

Yes, that was going to be my suggestion. Did it that way once on a 71..

I ran into this a couple of months ago.

We lifted up the engine a couple of inches (in the front), I believe the engine mount bar must have been removed.

Ditto Mike D.'s comments. Though I would use a jack stand under each head, or at least be careful if you are using just a jack.

Or even better.

If when installing the shift bar, you are not able....
Go cable!

You have the cable shifter ready for the other car, just make a second one

Yup remove the engine bar and

Yup, that sucked. It's in now though. Thanks for the help!