Morris Minor Owners Club

I've just swapped out my old engine for a recon. Everything has gone back OK and it runs fine. However, the clutch (which works) is stiff and the bell housing arm presents differently on the adjustment rod than it did before i.e further down the thread. A mechanic looked inside the inspection hole and thought it all looked OK, he then said did I put the clutch plate on the right way round? (I am sure I did as it is clearly marked).
QUESTIONS
1) if I put it on back to front - would the clutch work?
2) if I did would it make it stiff and rattly when engaging it?
Many thanks for any advice.

The last bit makes me think the pressure plate may be the wrong way round too, they are normally marked front and back.
Something starts touching when the clutch is depressed.

Did you fit a new pressure plate?
When I fitted a new one, it needed quite a bit of adjustment to run in line, it was quite far off centre, giving your symptoms.
Otherwise, the pressure mechanism could've been damaged on reassembly?