1964 a833 hard to get into first gear

Might be time to yank it all out and inspect. Make CERTAIN the pilot bearing / busing is not binding, and part of that, is making certain the bell is not damaged or somehow tilted, say, from dirt or debri between the bell and engine block

Inspect the disk and pressure plate CAREFULLY. If possible, find a press and put the flywheel, PP and disk in the press with the T/O bearing and do a "trial" release and measure pp gap