This may be helpful. A picture of the assembly in place. Long snout on the friction disk is to the crankshaft. Or Flywheel as it were.
http://chevy.oldcarmanualproject.com/shop/1954truck/54ctsm0685.html I know this is for a 54, just the best picture I could find. Spring side is towards the presser plate. If this is the clutch you have, this is the way it fits. Now about the cross member in the way? I don't know. I have put the bell housing, flywheel, and clutch on while it is on the lift and supported before I put it in the truck. So not much help on that point.
