My clutch is really hard and I don't notice it until I get in and drive a newer car.

I'd say if the car goes into gear with no problems and it's not slipping then there's not much to worry about and unlikely that you will need a new clutch.

The clutch cable does goes through the bulkhead and if it hasn't got a rubber gromet to go through then it will rub on the metal and eventually snap, had that go on me too, so you could check that.
