Welcome to the Stovebolt Page. Sounds like a cool project. The traditional wisdom is that you cannot put a SBC V8 in a 47-55.1 Advance Design truck without moving the steering box out away from the frame rail at least an inch or two. Are you sure this steering box has not been relocated? Most V8 transplants in these trucks with original front axle and steering use 55-57 265 exhaust manifolds or "some" 305 manifolds that exit at the rear. In 99 I bought a 50 Chev 3/4 ton pickup that already had a 307 V8 with the original 4-speed, front axle, steering, etc. The steering box was spaced out from the frame about 1.5" and the pitman arm was bent a little to restore the alignment of the connecting link. This is the
truck . Good luck with your 54!!
