1961 Apache HELP!!!!

[Robert31178]

ok, so my old boss is having me work on his truck since he runs a landscape business and with spring here and summer approaching he is too busy.

The truck is a 1961 Apache; it's had some work done - lowered, big block, auto trans.

He asked me to pull the front the apart, pull the motor/trans, and then the nightmare begins lol.....

The 402 is off for a bottom end rebuild; I'll do the top.

1) The headers I pulled off were RTV'd on with three gaskets, so obviously not a really nice set. They were so rusted I can't get a part number off to find replacements. No one goes back past 63, and the ones I have seen that would work are 67-80something that go with auto trans and you have to cut a small piece of the frame out.

2) He has a 4spd Muncie lying around and wants it in the truck lol....rgr. I have read that the bell housings don't fit unless the truck came with a manual originally. I think it did, the column has some linkages leftover, so....?

Pretty much I am hoping someone has made this conversion and can offer up some advice and a parts list for headers, bell housing, clutch linkages, clutch/plate/flywheel sizes.

Thanks everyone in advance!!!

~Rob