Ola--I think yours is the winning guess. Clutch disc was installed right way around. This would have been a small ego boost had a possibly unneccessary M41-pulling session (complete with 30-degrees and windy, lying on ice, etc.) not been performed in order to find out. I had myself so convinced that the clutch disc was the culprit that I didn't even try your starting-in-second suggestion. The disc came free when I removed the pressure plate but there's evidence of a film of rust on plate, flywheel and both sides of disc. A learning experience; I'm taking the opportunity to refine the shape of the new transmission tunnel--will add an access panel/clearance bulge for the solenoid area. Thanks all for your responses, I'll let you know what happens when the trans goes back in.

All best,
Nathan