OK, so let's see, here.....
@LI-Rick Yup, the tube welds are fine. That was the first thing I checked and I had welded them (both ends) several years ago. I noticed some un-even wear on the (thoroughly worn out) hook thingie that the cable hangs on, though. When I used my spare cable with the hook on the bench you can feel it catching in the same spot on each stroke.
@Butcher Boy I saw that snap ring and haven't yet checked my Bentley's to see what the stack-up is, but so far I've been trying to press the shaft out of the clutch pedal arm, not yet out of the pedal base - THAT comes after I get the pedal off. It looks like it holds the brake pedal from moving left and interfering with the clutch, that's all. The brake pedal base has a grease fitting and it is free on the shaft, so I don't expect too much grief with that, once I free the clutch pedal, just clean it up and re-paint.
@Alan Merklin I shoulda thought of ATF last night to let it sit overnight. I'll try the ATF and acetone this morning and re-try this afternoon, unless I get impatient (who, me?) and just heat the Beejeezus out of it and use a puller to get it off. It wanted to let go after heating it with MAPP (I could move it a few degrees for a few seconds) but always quickly re-froze once the torch went away.
ATF/Acetone seems easier at this point than getting out the "Fire Wrench" but I'm not especially optimistic.