Help ! Can I remove the trans, but not the converter ?

I am already replacing the pump seal, and every other seal, also checking the tail shaft bearing, and bushing, so I'm not worrying about that. The thing I don't understand is this. I removed the 5 or 6 bell housing bolts today, and it just slide right back without a fight. Super easy.
Last week I did the same to a slant 6/904. I had to pry it apart some. ( not going ) Than I removed the TQ bolts, ( going, but not easy ) It was like grabbing a gator by the tail, and wrestling it to get the shaft to slide back. I'm not sure I care what the difference is, but it went smooth. It's a good thing I didn't give it a good yank, cause I was expecting a fight, and probably would have went flying backwards. Thanks everyone.