T&T: Inserting Strainer Basket Perko Intakes

[thesiegels at erols.com]

Anyone else experience difficulty inserting the strainer basket in the Perko raw water intake?  If it is not inserted all the way down, the handle protrudes above the rim of the intake preventing the cap from sealing the intake securely.  Sometimesw the basket slides all the way down and sometimes it doesn't seat properly, even if rotated.  What's the secret? Bob Siegel 36' MT sundeck "Shalom" Annapolis