Tim,
How perplexing. I guess the good news is that you no longer have to "crawl" as the cab if off! I doubt if the pressure plate was assembled incorrectly. The rebuilder does this all day long so the odds are it's right.
I think you are doing something wrong but haven't seen it yet. This operation is real straight forward. I looked at a '46 manual and it says that when the P/P is fully bolted to the flywheel the spring fingers should be flat. They won't angle in or out...just flat.
I think there is a long throwout bearing and a short throwout bearing. If this is true, you must have the proper length bearing carrier for your setup. Are you installing the throwout bearing properly. The fork goes into the slot and the bearing face lays on the outside of the fingers. It doesn't go inside the fingers.
Is the clutch release fork snapped on the pivot ball inside the bellhousing? As was noted earlier, the clutch release motion won't work unless the transmission is in place. It needs the retainer guide to align and steady the throwout bearing as you depress the the pedal.
With the cab off, transmission installed, you should have a better chance to see what is going on. It is something very simple so don't over think it.
Stuart
