1968 Mercury 20HP Recoil Install

[Friedfisherman]

I just picked up this 1968 Mercury 20HP outboard and the starter rope was really frayed so I decided to replace it. I was able to remove the assembly. I wound up the spring and clamped it down with a C Clamp (not too tight), then removed old rope. My problem is now feeding the new rope around the spool to tie the knot, it just will not go. I tried using the old rope before I took it out, tape new end to old end and tried using the old one to pull the new one in, still no luck. Fed a thin wire around the pulley and tried that still cant get the new one in. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.