Has the wheel been laced incorrectly? EG is the valve located between 2 spokes that angle towards each other, limiting the amount of room for the pump head? Valves should be between spokes that run approx. parallel to each other for that reason.
Jur makes a good point. If the wheel is laced so that the spokes are nearly parallel at the valve stem you shouldn't have any issues getting a floor pump in there.
Glad you found I pump that works, but I guess we are still a bit confused.