connecting trans to engine

[Dirty325ix]

I am putting my transmission back up to the engine and it is not sitting flush with the engine should I just push harder? Any tips? It says I'm not supposed to bring them together with the bolts and that's starting to look like a good option for the last quarter inch

[jlevie]

If the bell housing is only 1/4" off the engine, the dowel pins may not be aligned. You may have to slightly rotate the transmission.

[Exodus_2pt0]

Do not use the bolts to pull the trans to the bell housing. If you have to do resort to that, then your clutch disk is probably not aligned properly.

Double check your clutch alignment if you try that Jlevie said, without luck.