Yes, Tom, it's a possibility. I have found that campagnolo pedals thread in "tite" on non campagnolo crank arms.

the threads in the picture look fine. To me the "tell" is that he says it goes in about 3 turns, which means the pedals start and then the mismatch in angle or thread crown builds up and causes them to become harder to turn.

OP is smart not to force it.

Portlandjim is the person who would really be qualified to opine. he knows his way around threads and stuff.

/markp