Hi Steve!
I'm happy to see that you're continuing on Craig's "many winters build thread". I haven't been active on here for quite a while, but I'm hoping to get something happening again soon. We should meet up some time if it's ever safe to do so. lol
Re: your clutch pivot ball issue. I think you probably need something like this:
https://sdparts.com/i-24074894-sdpc-...nd-trucks.html
https://www.jegs.com/i/JEGS/555/601026/10002/-1