Late shifts after new torque converter.

From your description it is behaving exactly like it would if the TV (kickdown) linkage was hung up, not returning all the way forward at lower throttle settings. Being as you severely pulled on the TV lever to the point of bending it I strongly suspect that it is not going all the way back (forward) to rest. If you disconnect it and push it all the way forward where does it stop? When you disconnected it and test drove it did you tie the lever forward or just let it sit where it wanted?
My suggestion is to disconnect it, tie it all the way forward and gingerly test drive the car.
DO NOT drive far like this or you will hurt your transmission. You could have bent the TV shaft that goes into the valve body causing it to hang up.