Well I got everything together and found out the transmission is not engaged to the engine when in gear. Or at least when I spin the passenger wheel it is not engaged. The driver side axle is not installed yet and I'm wondering if maybe I am engaged, but can't see it because I don't have that other axle on. This axle idea was given to me by a friend at work, so I have not had a chance to verify that yet. But before I go home to tear this clutch apart I thought I'd ask some questions.
I am curious about the friction plate. When I installed it, the outside lip was not flat against the flywheel. It was about 3/8" away and I had to torque it down to get it to go flat against the flywheel. After torquing it down I also noticed that all the fingers that are normally pointed slightly out (maybe 20 degrees or so), where all completely flat and pointing directly at each other (0 degress). Is this normal or could this be part of my problem.

I had the flywheel machined, had no problem installing it. I used the alignment tool to keep the clutch in place while I installed the friction plate. The dowls lined up with the holes on the friction plate and I know that the clutch is not in backwards. It seemed to go together so good. But I'm just not sure about having those fingers bent in now.

Any suggestions?

PS: I have not installed the other axle because I'm doing the timing belt next.