grind the manifold? now what?

i have this 77 skylark 231 drivers side manifold in my garage for a test fit before i pay for it.

any ideas? grind the mani? what about cracking?

the mockup steering intermediate shaft is dead against the mani down tube.

i can lower the steering farther or
extend the end of the steering shaft from the column down or
use a extra universal (three total) with a support bearing to move it out farther.

depending on where i end the bottom of the steering column i could probably raise the intermediate shaft up so i don't have to notch the engine mount but will still have to grind the manifold only higher up.

i will be removing the vacuum and butterfly valve when i figure this out and then prob need to go to magic muffler to custom the exhaust?

lol, btw i discovered that the po never put any exhaust gaskets back on when he tried to install ps.
again thanks for any and all

 

Can you move the base of the steering column over? Might save the grinding.

 

DOH! guess i could try that first! an inch to the left shouldn't cause problem unless it hits the clutch pedal.

(something about not seeing the forest for the trees..)