I've got my engine at top dead center and the only place my rotor will fit all the way down is tward the firewall. Is this right? here is a pic

 

Looks pretty close to mine. I had to even take the cap off when i took out the tranny so it wouldn't bust.

 

So is this correct? Can I put it all together and start it?

 

If the engine is at No.1 TDC, and you start your 18436572 with the terminal that the rotor is pointing to right now as 1, everything will work fine... However, it will be a lot easier if you drop the distributor in 180 from there (with #1 pointing slightly to the driver side of center towards the front). You may have to turn the oil pump slightly depending, but it can be done with a long screw driver and some patience.

 

I would pull the dizzy and re-seat it. It looks like you are at #6 TDC which isn't a big deal but I always like to start at #1 TDC.

 

If you want to be lazy you can just drop it in and turn the motor by hand/bump with the starter untill it lines up with the pump and drops in by itself.

 

if that's TDC for cylinder 1 then you are 180 off. just lift the dizzy out a bit, turn it 180* then drop it back in. it'll seat in place just fine.