There is no V8 / Slant centerlink difference. The big change camein '73. See here for more info on steering linkages:
http://www.bigblockdart.com/techpages/linkage.shtml
Even with a 187 pan I had to add some additional clearance at the corner of the pan circled in the photo.
A sloppy idler will increase the chance of pan contact. I had one 'fail' with less than 1000 miles on it.
