If your'e using the stock style bushing it could be compressing when you press it into the crank. That would make for a really tight fit.

You couldn't get the transmission out of the car. That tells me the pilot pushing had a death grip on the shaft.

Forget all the other stuff for now. Measure the pilot bushing and the input shaft diameters. You will likely find the problem there.

Once you have that straightened out, fit the transmission without the clutch disc. See if the transmission is still too tight.

We are brothers and sisters doing time on the planet for better or worse. I'll take the better, if you don't mind.
- Stu Harmon