So I TIG welded the factory brackets on the New steering column today and mocked up a 3/4" shaft (sorry didn't but the U joint yet) so you can see that I gained plenty of room in the engine compartment, no more clearance issues here.....now I have to cut a smaller hole and re center it around the 3/4" shaft(sorry about the duct tape). Thanks Denny for the tip, I hope I did it right.
Also bonded the 2 cowl halves together so I can get the stamped 3-D look. A little clean up and it will be time to weld this one in for good, this will be the second one I've installed and hopefully the last.