[SoCal_Alden]

Thanks for your suggestions - The clutch pedal does actuate the throw out bearing and the collar slides well on the shaft. The bearing just doesn't engage with the pressure plate fingers - missing by an inch or so.

It is becomming evident that the only way I'll get to the bottom of this is to bite the bullet and disassemble everything and install a new/rebuilt pressure plate and clutch disk - including the pilot and throw out bearings just for good measure.