On my "new" '76 2.0 the clutch is engaging very high up in the clutch pedal travel. Also, there is no free play to be felt at the pedal itself. Being a 914 newbie, my closest comparison are aircooled VWs, all of which have to have free play at the pedal to ensure the throwout bearing is not in constant contact with the pressure plate.

My question is whether this "no free play" is normal, and if it isn't, how much I should have. I have looked at some of the tech articles and would be able to find and adjust the clutch cable at the transmission.

The car only has 27,000 miles, so I'm thinking (err, hoping ) that the clutch isn't on the way out.

You should be able to pull up on the clutch pedal 1/2" to 3/4".....that is the freeplay.

Go underneath the car and back off the two (hopefully) 11 mm nuts on the clutch cable end about 1/8" - 1/4".

Buy a Haynes manual.

Haynes manual is already ordered

I think I know where my confusion came from. You say the free play is determined by pulling up on the pedal, as opposed to pushing on it, which is the way all other cars I know are. Thanks!

Just checked it and there is no free play pulling up or pushing down on the pedal. That gives me hope, the "worn-out" clutch feel might be an adjustment issue only.

I'll stop by my local shop tomorrow and ask them if they can get it on a hoist for me and adjust the clutch. I don't have any facilities to do this myself.