Well it could be, but just judging from how it sat on the shaft and fork with the clips and without, I really don't see how that could be causing such a horrible grinding noise in 1st and 2nd. I checked it and placed the clutch inside the trans which would hold everything in place before reinstalling the trans.

The other thing that leads me to believe is the trans/synchros is that 4th gear works perfect. No noise or grinding ever, I can shift into it at any rpm with no resistance or grinding, etc etc. Every other gear has to be rev matched or pulled in extremely slowly. I notice reverse has a light grind to it too.