Engine rebuild help.....intermediate shaft!

Hope someone can assist with this one…. as the title suggests Ive just started my 83 gti engine rebuild. Ive smeared the intermediate shaft with pre-assembly lube and installed it back in the crankcase. It felt quite tight installing it and i can only turn it with the pulley attached. Is it supposed to turn freely inside or is it meant to be very snug? Just seems as though it should be a little easier to turn by hand. Nothing else is installed yet. Anyone with any experience or knowledge of this?

Any help much appreciated!!

Andy

If you can turn it with the pulley attached by hand then I would say its ok.
Have you changed the bearings?
If it's the old bearings you might have bruised an edge with the shaft. 

Cheers for the quick reply! Looking more closely at the bearings they look a bit worn/bruised.... just ordered some new ones, guess it makes sense to change them if all the other bearings are being done! Cheers again

ps. Has anyone any experience or tips for removing the old bearings?!