1976 Chevy Nova Coil spring installation

Suspension problem
1976 Chevy Nova V8 Two Wheel Drive Automatic

I'm currently replacing the front end of a 76 nova. Removing the coils was easy, I used a jack and slowly released it. Install this has been a nightmare though.I rented a coil spring compressor. It doesn't do crap.I can only compress the spring so far because half of the spring is in the frame. I tried with the compressor and without it, using a jack to lift the lower control arm. My problem is getting the upper ball joint into the steering knuckle. It gets so close, but then won't finish. Instead of going in completely, the entire upper control arm begins to push upwards, eventually lifting the car off the jack stands its on. Hammering the control arm down does nothing except hurt my ears. I tried clamping the control arm to the frame, but that didn't work either. Please help me.I'm tired of wasting my free time on a car that I should have been driving half way through the summer already. This is very frustrating. Any suggestions would be great!