The clutch cable should be adjusted so that there is free play at the clutch fork. Unlike a lot of modern release bearings the Volvo 140 bearing does not run in contact with the clutch cover plate. This adjustment is made at the clutch fork end of the cable. When correctly adjusted you should have free play (eighth to a quarter of an inch) when you move the fork towards the front of the car before you feel it contact the release bearing.

If at that point you have a strange pedal you have another problem.

The pedal has a return spring on it, it wraps around the fulcrum bolt, and then loops around the back of the pedal forcing the pedal away from the firewall, these break allowing the weight of the pedal to pull against the cable constantly, it will kill release bearings in short order.

Check the pedal bushes are not worn out

As someone else wrote, the release arms are weak, there was a redesign of it once, maybe twice.

Are you sure you don't have a dodgy cable, I know it is new but what you are trying to do is merely masking a fault elsewhere.

Or you have a faulty clutch

Regards