I had done that last night. Put the wheels up with rear driveshaft on and front driveshaft off. moved shift arm to park and nothing.... other than the ratcheting noise that occurs.

I tightened the kickdown band before pulling front oil pump and then re-adjusted it prior to firing it up.

It took 6 quarts... about what I lost during the job. Never took off pan or touched anything other than front pump (to replace seal and bushing) and kickdown band adjust. I installed the converter but did not prime it.

upon firing it up and going through the gears I noticed that manual first and Reverse were engaging fine.... although they seem bound.

Manual 1st uses rear clutch and rear band
Reverse uses front clutch and rear band.

It seems that there could be a problem in the kickdown band? It uses rear clutch (which functions for manual 1st) and the kickdown band... which, other than the oil pump, is the only other component I worked on.

I am stumped on which direction to go as it is a bear taking the converter out. frustration level high about now..... ughhhh.