In my E-Body, I was able to get the factory rod ends to fit together well with both the z-bar ends and the pedal fitting. I did have to massage them to get them to lay completely flat at the contact points. Using both the thin nylon washers and synthetic disc brake grease on the contact points and the ball pivot bushings significantly reduced drag on the entire assembly.
The most recent problem I had was the angle of the adjusting rod and the clutch fork was apparently changing enough to allow the clutch fork to fall off the throw-out bearing. This obviously left me stranded, but it was also the first time this had ever happened on this combination. I carefully inspected the clutch fork, the bolt on L-shaped fulcrum and the clutch adjusting rod, but could not determine why it suddenly allowed the throw-out bearing to rotate so that the clutch fork fingers fell off the throw-out bearing pads.
I suspected the torqueing motion of the motor/trans somehow tweaked it, but that is speculation as all parts appear to fit and function normally.
I've since installed an American Powertrain Hydraulic Throw-out bearing kit. There was some minor alteration to the hardware included in their kit required to properly fit and positioning of the components required, but it seems to allow a more complete release of the clutch without over extending my pressure plate fingers. I'll be doing a write up, short term and long term follow-up on that install here or on Moparts.
