Good progress! You should definitely have a push down lock on the reverse...the used shifter assembly that I got with my swap kit was trash and the reverse lockout tab was smashed off...
I went with the JHM setup that has a nice crisp lockout now, but should be the same with an OEM assembly in good shape. Let me see if I can take a pic of my junk OEM one to point out what to look for...

On the clutch bleed, even though it is technically attached to the braking system, it's really totally independent except for the fluid reservoir...that said, if it had enough fluid to fill the clutch system, the brakes needing a bleed really should not matter for the clutch. I used a power bleeder on mine to put a little positive pressure on the master, cracked the nipple open twice, and I was good! If the return feels funky, I hope that you have the clutch slave and throwout bearing all installed properly...the fluid shouldn't have much effect on the return action from what I can tell so far with mine.