UPDATE: Mission accomplished!
We drained ~2,300 gallons to our 12' doughnut pool, then wasted maybe 300 gallons to the yard. I was then able to push the side wall enough to adjust the side towers. That got the side sections of top seat rails to connect. We then pumped all 2,300 gallons back into the pool and refilled the little we had to waste. Went like a charm!

Second problem was curved rails. Here we needed to actually compress them more than adjustable slots allowed. Only one end of the pool needed this treatment. The other end barely squeaked in with existing adjustable slots... I guess I took out about 2" more curve from one end than the other. SOLUTION: I drilled a hole just past the slot on one side of each top seat rail along this end. The collective effect was just enough to work out. Yeah!!! Too bad it took me 3+ weeks to get to it.

Rail caps are installed and the pool looks 100% finished! (Just don't look for the final #10 screws to attach bottom of each rail cap... or the landscaping for that matter. I'm still working on these and other cosmetic touches )

Our kids and all the neighborhood kids are happy as clams (and a bit clammy after swimming in 65-70 degree F water).

Alright nwmnmom, you asked nicely for pictures and were very patient... so here you go...






Next mission: Get hardware to install solar panels so kids can stop playing "Penguins and icebergs"... but that will be a separate thread .