Clutch not disengaging

JO
You know they make replacement bushings,and wire bushing retainers right. With a new bushing kit, that takes most of the slop right out.Unless you still have a rubber swivel down on the bottom! Get rid of that asap. I think the steel ones are still available.Whatever other slop there may be, get's taken care of during the free-play adjustment.It sounds almost like your bushing retainer is MIA. I made one out of a coat-hanger, and zip-tied it on. It's been on there a lotta years.
I have never had an issue with a V8 Z-bar not work properly, with any clutch I have ever run. What combo are you running?