I got the motor going thanks to everyone. Here's my latest stopping point.
I raised the back wheels off the ground to test the driveline.
When I depress the clutch almost to the floor, I can feel and hear, a metal on metal mis-meshing of what sounds like two gears out of sync... if that makes any sense.
I dropped the inspection pan and the flywheel is showing some surface rust.
I tried to force the trans into first gear, but backed off and shut it down and thought I better get on the board and ask for help before I do any permanent damage.
what could my problem here be? Any ideas?
thanks again for the support

Are you saying it grinds when you depress the clutch ONLY and ARE NOT trying to put the trans into gear?

If so, There are a few things:

Most likely is that the clutch fork is out of place, either improperly placed on the T/O and or not on the pivot correctly.

You may have the disc stuck to the flywheel, and you may have simple "overadjusted" the linkage to try and get it to release. What I mean is, the linkage is moving too far, and the clutch fingers are contacting the hub on the clutch.

Try with a second person or a blocking device, depress the clutch, then underneath inspect with a feeler gauge to see if the pressure plate is moving enough to release

It's possible that for some reason, the front snout of the bearing retainer broke---I've had this twice in my lifetime on two different cars

I'm assuming this is a new build and has never been run this way?

that's it exactly. it grinds when I depress the clutch only. It is a new re-build, except it was done over 6 years ago and has sat (in a garage)waiting for me.
I just had my helper shove in the clutch and it appears that the disc is stuck to the flywheel. It doesn't release. Is there a way to break it free w/o pulling the transmission? Please tell me there is.
thanks
Mike

Usually you can bust them free, easily.

FIRST, find this grinding problem. Again, recheck that the fork/ pivot/ TO is correct.

Next, check that you don't have the linkage cranked in so far that you are simply "over-releasing"

Get the car started and running good.

Then figure a way to get it rolling, or if it starts easily, just start it up in first gear.

Get it rolling, pop it into gear, and push in the clutch. A little power and "on/ off" the throttle should break it loose.

to review,
#1) I will re-check the Fork, Pivot and T/O bearing. It seems like a pretty simple setup but I'll look for anything that doesn't make sense. Should I soak everything down w/ WD oil? It has been sitting for a very long time.
#2) I'll return the petal to the 1" or so freeplay position.
#3)Car is running
#4)The car is on jack stands all the way around.
#5) I'll start it up in first gear
Am I forgetting anything?

Fork, T/O, & pivot all look right.
can't get the petal to return to home position now.

the Z bar, for some reason, has sliped toward the starter motor, that misalignment may have something to do w/ this problem.
Starting the motor in gear didn't seem to help.
any other ideas?

btt

I'll take apart the z-bar and make sure it's right.
I don't have any e-brake yet, haven't hooked it up. I haven't gotten to the brakes on the car yet, at all.
Why would the disc get stuck to the flywheel?
Can I stick a thin blade in there and try to "pop" it loose? Or would I do major damage to something.
I appreciate all the help

Are you sure the clutch disk is facing the flywheel correctly? It can be put on backwards which puts the springs up against the flywheel bolts and that will make the type of noise you are discribing.

no, I am not sure if I put it on the correct way.
Would that explain the grinding sound?...it sounds like gears stripping.
I was trying to avoid pulling the trans out and give it a real checking over...but it's looking like I have no choice, huh.

You MIGHT be able to see the disc through the bottom of the bell enough to tell. The 'fat' part of the disc goes out towards the transmission

Yes, I can see two discs.
Each is 1/8" wide and flat against the flywheel.
When you push in the petal, it appears to want to draw away from the flywheel, but it can't.
any help with that description?
appreciate this

I complained to everyone of a chattering problem when I push my clutch petal 3/4's of the way to the floor.
I have disassembled everything to the flywheel and this is what I've found.
a) in the hole bored into the crank, there was no grease. Can't be good
b) in the flywheel center there was no bushing. Probably not right.
c) the clutch and pressure plate were made my beck and borg and they are new
d) the clutch disc was installed with the protruding hub facing towards the trans/pressure plate, flat side to the flywheel.
e) the hub on the clutch disc wiggles slightly. Not sure this matters.
f) the clutch disc left an imprint of it's surface on the surface of the pressure plate. I assume because it sat for years after the initial installation. Kind of a light imprint, if that makes sense.
g) the clutch disc springs facing the pressure plate show definate signs of "something" scraping across them. This must be where the chatter sound I was hearing (and feeling in the petal) comes from. But what could be doing that?
h) the throw out bearing spins free and has shiney marks where it sits on the presure plate fingers. The T/O bearing was attached to the clutch fork per the manual. it seems right.
I) the clutch fork is old, but in servicable condition. it was attached properly to the bell housing or at least seems to be.
J) The z-bar was incorrectly installed. I have fixed it.
Given this information...any and all feedback on where to go from here would be greatly appreciated.
thanks
Mike

b) in the flywheel center there was no bushing. Probably not right.

That being said, and how long it was driven like that, the main bearing (and more) in the trans may be gone. A good candidate for a trans go thru.

it has never been driven, only recently started the rebuilt motor after years and years.

Lightly grease the input shaft.
Install either the pilot shaft bearing or the roller bearing in the flywheel.
Resurface the flywheel.
May need a new disk too.

What's the status of the trans? I'd question it if the same person did the install of the items you mentioned.

Thanks Mark,

the trans was rebuilt long ago by Jamie Passon and never installed until now. It has never been put under any stress.

I do have a pilot bushing in the back of the crank.

After a conversation w/ Wayne @ Brewers, he said the Borg and Beck clutch assembly I bought was, in his opinion, a sub par Chinese knockoff and he had heard of my problem before

I ordered a new McCloud assembly (clutch, pressure plate, t/o bearing)
and even though the flywheel showed a mild surface rust on the outer rim near the teeth, I have it at the machine shop getting cleaned up.

Hopefully when I stick the McCloud assembly in there, all these issues will vaporize.

If they do, then I learned yet another expensive lesson w/ respect to buying inexpensive components.

I hope it works like it's supposed to

Mike