kskt4,
Go look in the Tech Tips under featured projects there is one entitled "49 Chevy 1/2 ton" that has some of what you are dealing with. He solved the steering column problem by actually moving the steering column over to clear the manifold, It looks like he had to adjust the brake pedal as well. This was not the article that I was remembering, but it covers some of your problems. Good luck.
Ralph
