struggling with connecting the wiper rod...pics!

Looks like you have a mismatch on the linkage. '72 was a transition year from the early linkage to the late. You need to have all one type.....from motor to wiper arm. '68 thru May of '72 is the early linkage, June '72 to '76 is the other. The later setup is different between 2 and 3 speed wipers also. I always pull the whole wiper transmission out and do the reconditioning on the bench. Then reinstall it as a unit. Makes assembly a whole lot easier. Plus you need new wiper pivot seals anyway, right?