I suspect something with the trans fitment, maybe the bearing retainer is binding on the pressure plate??
Even if the engine was locked up solid, you should be able to push the clutch in and break the connection between the engine and trans. All you're trying to do is hit the fingers and spring the plate out enough that you have an air gap between discs.
McLeod has specific directions when assembling the clutch, where to check if the discs are spinning freely, etc., and I did not notice anything abnormal. I assemble clutches with my own billet steel alignment tool from RAM, not a cheap plastic tool, so it's as aligned as it's going to get.
