I second the motion on taking out that annoying clutch dampener. Sounds like you just need to bleed the clutch. For the first few times you bleed it you will need someone to lift the clutch pedal up and down by hand, as you bleed it should get stiffer and will require someone to sit down and use their foot. Keep bleeding till there is a straight line of fluid flowing out the slave cylinder bleeder nipple. Sorry for all the blabbing if you already knew this. Good news is that you have already finished the hard part, bleeding the clutch is cake
Good Luck.