I bought a 1986 Isuzu P'up two days ago, knowing that it had clutch
problems.  I've checked it out, and this is what I've found:  The
clutch pedal is INSANELY loose, it drops about seven inches lower than
it should be, and because of this I have serious trouble changing
gears.

I plan on replacing the clutch cable, but there's another problem:  The
clutch cable comes out of the pedal, then winds it's way through the
front of the car and ends up going into the body of the truck (where
I'm assuming the transmission is), and at that point, where the cable
ends at a bolt, there's a small plate or disk that's broken in half and
is held together against the body of the truck. I can't figure out what
this disk is, or what it does, or anything else about it, I only know
that it probably needs to be replaced.

Can anybody please let me know what this is?  I need to replace it soon
because I need to get the truck running by the end of the week.  Help
would be appreciated!!!!

--Ichbins