Steering Column to Firewall Plate Fitment

74 Dart Sport, factory steering column. When I mock up my install there is a gap as shown in the picture between the column housing and the support bracket. As it's been too long since I tore this apart, is this to be expected or am I missing something? Just making sure the housing isn't supposed to be closer or make contact with the bracket.

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I did search but struggled to find pictures of this particular spot for comparison.