WOW! I can't believe you had to mash the tube around your pitman arm so much. When I had used those 2" headers before the addition of power steering, I didn't have to take a hammer to anything. I guess that just shows the inconstancies in the way the factory put these cars together.
Plus they are 440 headers on a 383 - even the 440 they came off of needed this much but they didn't get but a couple dings just let the stuff rub and make there own clearance.. I pounded them to fit better..