I am rebuilding an ex 5 speed to match with my H22 dropped into 1995 accord.

The transmission has been rebuilt, but I cannot get the housing to fit properly upon closing the transmission case. The gearshafts line up, the bearings are in place, but when placing the case over the top to prepare to seal the trans, it wont close. There is a gap about 1/8 to 1/16 that cant be closed.

Any ideas or tricks, like does the car need to be in a specific gear or position before the case will sit flush against the rest of the trans housing?

Thank you,

D