Sorry to hear of your probs. with those manifolds. That sucks when you end up having to re-engineer something that should be a bolt-in. Are you going to end up using a newer style high-torque starter or could you machine up a manifold spacer to fit between the manifold and the head to give some more clearance? On another note, the car looks fantastic as it's coming together. With the trim and the rear bumper and lights installed, that is one sharp Oldsmo-touring ride............
Paul