Critical error? or Don't worry about it?

That's the tricky part....the engine is cast iron (soft and brittle) the pins are steel. If they are cocked (even just a little) you can mess up the hole in the engine and lose the ability to properly align everything. That's why the pins are always installed when you have the engine on the engine stand, so that you can be sure and get the pin perfectly aligned in the hole before you start hammering on it. MileHighDart is going to have to be careful if he doesn't completely remove the tranny. It can be done ....but like the Wicked Witch said, "These things must be done carefully."

treblig