I'm not a big fan of column shift manual trans setups. Besides the exhaust is in the way of the original linkage so it will never be a manual trans again. I might have to go with a floor shifter if an automatic column will not clear the exhaust. I will deal with that when I get to that point.
WRONG!!
Hi! You can EASILY have a manual transmission, with no problem at all with linkages. I fabricate and sell kits for all tri-5's that mount the clutch master
cylinder under the dash, with the mounting of the brackets directly on the original main pedal support. IF you are interested, go to Ebay and look up my same ID there as here 'desapience'...., check out all the pictures of all items... or click on this link to go directly the item that would solve your dilemma.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/130843235485?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649
BTW, my 55 has had a stroker 409 for nearly as decade now, and I would have enjoyed helping you by pass all the problems encountered. In fact, I was also a Stef's dealer, and worked directly with a fabricator there to better design specially modified 409 oil pans to fit tri-5 Chevy cars, including those with R&P steering kits in them. In the other build thread, I am presently preparing to install yet another 409 stroker in a 2nd 55 chevy, but this one has a recessed firewall.
As for headers, with a 3/4" forward side-mounts, and with the hipo 583 heads, I was able to use stock 1965 hi-performance headers, and could have used
the stock steering box by simply grinding down one bolt boss on the left header. For my second 55, with the recessed firewall and R&P steering, I'm using
the "classic" Edelbrock headers for the large port 409's. They were available only for a short time (for both 348 and large port variations). The "new guys" who bought Edelbrock, and their new bean counters axed the older classic stuff.
Good luck,
Denis