Ed, forget the 'factory manual' for adjusting your clutch. You have an aftermarket clutch now so you want to follow Centerforce's instructions. As you stated, who knows what parts were used in all your linkage pieces? Here is my suggestion:
1) Pull your inspection cover and put the car on jackstands.
2) Have your wife push the peddle to the floor while you get under the car and check the clearance between the clutch disc and the pressure plate. It should be right at .060". If not, adjust the lower clutch rod to get that clearance with the peddle to the floor.
3) Have your wife let-up the clutch peddle and see where it lands. If it's not high enough for you, you need to lengthen the upper rod, even if it means removing it and welding in an extension, preferably with adjustment ability. Make sure the upper 'bump' stop is in place and the lower spring on the T/O fork is installed. Then check to make sure the T/O bearing is sitting away from the diaphragm cone (fingers) approximately .125" to .250".
Once you have it adjusted correctly and working, you can alter the engagement point higher if you wish through installing an adjustable clutch stop and re-adjusting the rods.
I can't help thinking that a mismatch in parts is causing you undue stress, which, in and of itself, is not healthy...
I don't want to get on you too much, but a thorough inspection of the linkage initially while someone worked the clutch peddle might have saved you some grief my friend.
