I'm installing my 18 spline 4 speed on to the bell housing (in car) and it won't move forward enough to fully seat. It's that last inch or so, and it has scratching my head . I used an alignment tool to get the disc lined up correctly, and I made sure that my disc, and inputs shaft are indeed meant for each other.

Were there different length 18 spline shafts?

I ran long lag bolts through the Trans housing holes to the bell housing holes to assure it was going in at the correct angle, but no matter how much I fussed with it, it won't move forward enough to install my shorter bolts.

I spun the tail shaft gear to move the input shaft in hopes of allowing thr teeth to mesh correctly.

Nothing seems to help...so.


Question:

Should the assembly just pop forward with a little wiggling if it's all aligned? Or do you need to get the bolt threads started in order to get the two pieces to come together as you're tight in the bolts?

Tips?