67 small block headers

I want to install headers (long tube preferable) on a 67 Mustang 4 speed 289.  For looks and longevity, I'd prefer ceramic coating.  Most of the ads I read advise that "some fitting" may be needed to clear clutch linkage.  I read fitment here as "beat on it with a hammer" to make it fit-but that destroys the ceramic coating as well as putting a kink in the pipe. Any experience/advice to draw on out there to draw on would be good.  Thanks  

quality headers like HOOKER and HEADMAN usually fit well and modifications are not needed and I have used these and Doug Thorley with clutch in 65-66 and a 69 with small blocks. i have never modified the factory bell crank , but if it interferes then modify the bellcrank. i had a 351W in a 65 with the Hooker engine swap headers and the only mod was switching to a 69-70 small block bell crank.  

I have a 67 cougar 289 automatic and installed my headers for fitment. I had to install a bracket to drop down the p/s ram control valve. Everything else fits just fine. Depending what kind of exhaust you have. Mine was old and planned on replacing anyways, so I cut it out and unbolted the hangers. I bought the headers from a mustang store locally. So if you haven't purchased yours already I would buy from your local mustang store, they'll probally fit better. Besides that they will probally have the brackets or extra parts u might need, like in my case the bracket for the ram.  

Maybe I'm cursed or just my luck, but, I've had my 66 GT-350 since 4/69 and since then went through 4 sets of headers from cheap, mid range to present, Hooker Comp Ceramic coated and never ever have they been a bolt on operation in the past 40 years. All have had to be dinged for clearance, some ridiculously so. Usually just the driver's side and clutch zbar issues but one tri-y design, "exact copy of original" tightened up against the passenger side bell house, driver's side interfered with pitman arm and zbar. No excuse for the passenger side at all, there is all the room in the world on that side. Yesterday my 59 yr old butt spent four hours taking the Hookers out for the last clearance issue, #5 pipe resting against inner fender/shock tower. Maybe my motor mounts are collapsing? The ceramic coating suffered but it doesn't show and it doesn't touch anymore and all the boney areas of my back are barking today and will for the next several days. Tried Flowtech right before Hooker and they cleared the garage floor by 2 1/4 inches, they could not explain and I returned them to Summit even after they had been dinged for clearance. The instructions for Flow and Hooker say this may be needed for fitment. Go figure?  

I bought some Hedman ceramic that are supposed to fit right in-and an acquaintance said they fit his without trouble...I havn't put them on/in yet. I'll let y'all know.  

The auto trans will avoid a major issue with manual trans. Maybe my zbar short arm was repaired at the wrong angle years ago and needs to be positioned toward the throwout fork and that will move the adjustment on the top side further toward the end of the adj clutch rod? I do have an inch of room left.