Yeah, these things don't never happen in Nov. Always just before the season starts or just before a big race you had planed for months.
When you put the convertor in this time, when you think it can't go in any more, put in some more. Once you get it to go in some more, it needs to go in some more.
Once the engine and trans are bolted, you should be able to pull the TC towards the flex plate and it should spin freely before putting bolts in.
Good luck with it, Brian