Newbie here...can't get clutch to disengage...

Success!
I ended up doing a bit of adapting to the mounting point for the clutch pedal rod.
I lowered the attachment point about 1 inch. That increased the stroke of the rod which, in turn increased the movement of the clutch fork and freed up the clutch.
Unfortunately, it started raining here about a half hour ago, so I can't road test the car. But I started it in the garage and was able to move the car back and forth with absolutely no grinding.
I couldn't do that before.
However I might just go ahead with plans to eventually install a hydraulic set up.