A833 1-2 Clutch Sleeve Gear Binding

First time rebuilding a 1964 A833 out of a slant 6 Valiant. Between tips found here, the factory service manual, and Brewer's, the rebuild has gone very well.

However, once I got everything back in the case minus the gearshift control housing, I was testing the gears to ensure everything was engaging properly. Everything was fine except for in 1st gear, the clutch sleeve gear seems to bump against the countershaft gear occasionally as I turn the shaft. I can see the clutch sleeve sort of bump as it hits the countershaft gear and occasionally will almost bind up and stop the shaft rotation entirely.
Every other gear and sleeve feels perfect. The clustergear endplay ended up around 0.016" with all new thrust washers, rollers, etc. Nothing appears to be bent or have excessive runout.

Anyone experience this before? Anything specific I should check closer? What am I missing? Is it possible to have too much endplay on the 1st speed gear?
When I put the new center main bearing in, it went on perfect all the way down against the shoulder. It's circlip went in just fine as well. The 1st speed gear does have the most endplay of any of the gears though...

I can try to post a picture or video of this if needed.