YES 5.9 Magnum manifolds work in early A bodies. Here is exactly how!

Does the steering shaft rub on that manifold?

It looks like the steering shaft is being pushed down and to the side, it should be in the middle of the column jacket. But that could just be the angle the picture is taken from?

It can't be pushed anywhere, its supported on 2 bearings: steering box and steering column unless his steering column is shifted inside? That's why I never got the lower column 'bearing' as it would be the 3rd 'bearing' on the steering shaft.