I have heard that with the right manifolds steering wont be a problem, and that even with an HEI distributor it will still clear. Is this true?
I've heard it too. I've never seen it done successfully. Get someone to show you one that worked out without moving the steering. Then take good pictures and share them.
The most likely option is real early 265 exhauxt manifolds. At least one side can be fitted on the drivers side to front exit and solve at least some of the problem. But I don't recall ever seeing even that done without interference or spacing the steering out.
I don't know everything and can't claim to have seen it all. I do insist on seeing things like this with my own eyes because I've heard too many tails of woe when something was claimed to work by some Internet expert but then didn't turn out well.
