Lower balance shaft installation

[KrazyKarl]

After getting the lower balance shaft installed on my almost bare block I realized the PS and front bearing carrier will be in the way when I go to install the oil pump. The WSM instructions specify having the carrier in place but not tightened down when going thru the sequence for the balance shaft cover. Can I just pop the carrier on after and not have a leak by the large black o-ring or should I take the assembly back off and try again once the oil pump is in place?

Also, how freely should the balance shaft spin? I took the thing apart last fall and don't remember what it was like, but at the moment it spins alright but does take a bit of effort to get it moving. The rear bearing is coated in assembly lube.