fitted a 1600 zetec clutch to the engine,to overcome the release bearing prob i knocked out the release lever pivot,tapped a thread and put a bolt with 20mm spacer on,brings lever back to where it should be and there is enough bearing on the slider tube to stop it wobbling about

Sounds like a common sense answer to the problem , hope you put thread lock on the bolt

yup,locktite and a lock nut