You can bend up the oil pan a little bit so that it clears the center link so you don't have to get the V8 drops center link for it.
You might be able to get the V8 in there without modifying the firewall, but I don't think you ever be able to change the distributor cap or pull the distributor out if you need to. I took off the wiper motor and then use the studs that hold the wiper motor on to attach a chain and then put a come along on a little chain, and I cranked the come along to pull firewall in in the area while slightly tapping on it with a rubber mallet to help push it backwards an inch or so. Then I put the wiper motor back on and it seemed to work fine. I had attached the come along too a bolt that I welded to the frame connector on the left rear side, and then when I was done I cut the bolt off.
