Clutch Release

[MapleAvenue]

Hi Fellas. I'm running a 340 stroker with an 833 in my 72 Demon. I think that I'm experiencing not enough clutch release. I'm using a Lakewood Scatter shield with a McCleod dual disc clutch and Borg n Beck 3 finger long style pressure plate. I've already corrected the Z-Bar bracket to align the Z-Bar correctly to the bell. My clutch free play is (1/2''-1"). If I take any more free play out I'll run the chance of burning up the throw out bearing. I'm experiencing grinding when I try to shift the tranny into reverse at idle. I have to place the tranny in any forward gear first to get the input shaft to stop spinning. I also feel that the 1-2 shift is too hard/difficult to pull off a quick shift. All the clutch linkage is stock and from Brewers. One of you gentlemen posted a thread that mentioned a 3/8" shim should go under the clutch fork bracket on Lakewood bell housings. Would this shim give me more clutch release and correct these issues. Thanks for any help.