Manual shift column interference?

[CichliDart]

Hello,

I am looking at installing headers in my 71 Swinger but many of the header manufacturers state that they will not work with Steering column manual shift. Is it possible to remove the linkage enough to clear for headers?

I am going from a 3 speed manual shift to automatic with overdrive so I will not need the column shift linkage and am hoping I will not have to swap out steering columns.

Thanks.
Mike