1961 Dominator Clutch Setting and Gearbox Graunching

The pushrod is not the problem.
You need to set up the pressure plate via the spring tension adjusters so that it lifts away from the rest of the plates squarely/evenly all the way around its periphery.
Once this is set and you are satisfied it is so and the graunching persists you need to inspect the rest of the plates for flatness.
Setting the pushrod clearance allows for expansion so as to avoid the rod from keeping the plates slightly apart causing the clutch to slip. The opposite of what you are experiencing with the graunching which is the usual cause of a dragging clutch.

Clutch needs to be stripped and washed in solvent, and the plates checked for buckling,particularly the non friction ones . Then very carefully set up to give a wobble free rotation when lifted. There are plenty of other actions that can improve the way it works . spend time to gen up.