[danfeste]

Found the problem. I had added a washer between the rear pressure plate and the teaser spring, after removing that it was about 50% better. The other part of the problem was the throwout bearing. It was one I had received when ordering from the garden tractor pulling site. It is the same width of the original except the distance from the end of the collar to where the release arm contacts is about 1/8" longer. So this along with the washer I installed spaced the bearing back 1/4". That extra space in there alowed the pedel to move 3-4" before the release arm contacted the throwout bearing. I ended up reusing my old throwout bearing. The outer case can be removed so that I could clean it out with solvent and repack with wheel bearing grease. Its as good as new now and not made in China.