Mating Transaxle to Engine...advice needed

[hoyabob2003]

I searched and am looking for some sage advice before proceeding.

I have the transmission up on a jack , all the holes are lined up perfectly to the point where all the bolts can be inserted through the transmission case into the engine and yet the transaxle and engine cases are still 2" apart.

The question: Do I tighten the bolts to bring the engine and transaxle together or should I bring the transmission back out in a attempt to slide it in completely?

I've pulled the 2 apart several times only to wind up at the place again and again. I recall that it took a bit of force to separate the 2, and so the natural inclination is to tighten the bolts to bring the 2 together, but this inclination of mine has been wrong before.

Looking for sage advice here...