24" or 36" 318 throttle cable?

i understand hooking up the linkage to the carburetor side and hooking up the end of the cable to the gas pedal assembly. what i don't understand is how to attach the hex shaped bolts to the fire wall. first, the fire wall hole is much too big to fit the bolts around. Second, the gas pedal assembly fit flush to the fire wall and the hole is too small to allow the bolts through it in order to make a clamp around and secure snug. i know this is a simple thing, but i have taken the gas pedal assembly off and on a few times and can still not secure that side to the fire wall. i feel stupid. any pics available?