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This symptom is typical for a release bearing operating fork beginning to break. The fork has two "fingers" that grab the T.O. bearing. One or both (usually just one) of those fingers can crack, and when that happens a bit of light 1st/R grinding (incomplete clutch release) will occur. Usually a clutch adjustment (reducing the amount of pedal free-play) will help, but only for a very limited amount of miles, and then the problem will return as the fork's finger cracks even worse.
You say that the car is a '76, but that year model uses a straight cable with adjustment and lock nuts. Beginning with '77 the car requires a cable with a straight hook on its trans end. That style cable, used through '86, is available in two versions, (1) an original replacement that costs about $100, and (2) a real POS after market cable that sells for about $40. The after market cable might say "Made In West Germany" in white letters on the black bowden tube. If you have that cable throw it away and get a factory original unit.
A second problem can be a roll pin, on the pedal assembly clutch shaft, breaking.
BTW; with the '77 and later release system you can't (shouldn't) be able to feel free-play at the pedal.
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Keep the Shiny Side UP!
Pete Z.
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