Maybe a dumb question, but; You did install the locator spring-wire on the left end of the Z-bar right? and correctly engaged it in the white plastic bearings? In Dave's post,#3, it's called a snap ring.
The over-center spring makes clutching easier as the pedal goes down; and that is normal. For a diaphragm clutch, this spring needs to be removed, which is why I asked about the 3-finger deal which for, if you have one,you leave it in.
BTW I set my clutch departure at .080, and let the freeplay be whatever.This for a DD. But 1 inch of freeplay usually gets you that .080. If the gears clash on the 1-2 shift sometimes that can be traced to not enough freeplay; not always.
After I slick-isized my second and third gears, and started splitting gears with my GVOD,I tightened it up some; quite a bit actually. But I have to adjust it more often. No big deal after I modded the locking system.