fun with torque converters

[mountaingoatgruff]

i've been searching & reading all day on how to seat those damn things. i've got a 92 legacy 4eat, 93 impreza 1.8 tc and a 97 legacy 2.2 tc, i didn't get the 92 legacy's. i can't even get the 97 to the first stopping point and the 93 goes to the last stopping point but in hours of trying, cussing, coming back later, trying again, etc... i can't get the thing to seat. i'm on the brink of some shotput action here.

 

could it be that there's an internal difference?

 

also, i hope it doesn't matter but the very center splined shaft in the trans popped out once. i had to pull it mostly out & turn to get it back in. the very tip sticks out maybe a 1/4" past the trans mating surface. could this be the issue or is that normal? i can't recall where it was before.