Thank you both.
The McLeod pressure plate that is in there now came with the project and is new. I had it balanced with the engine components. I will continue with it for the time being.
I have a diaphragm pressure plate (I think it is McLeod) with an internal slave in another Pantera. I actually removed the effort reduction setup on the car (it is a 74) and achieved better control of the clutch. The car is operational.
Pretty soon I will be able to compare and contrast both types of clutches.