Well, I sure don't know how the clutch cable got as loose as it was. It was also closer to the exhaust than it needed to be - but no melting. I re-routed the cable put a lot more adjustment room on the firewall adjuster, tightened the cable on the clutch arm, went into 1st gear first and then into reverse as suggested - and I was back in business! I might be a little paranoid but I thought I felt the clutch slip when I took off in first gear. Something else to watch out for. Thanks for all the help.
tim
