Thanks again guys. I hope I have as much grit as my 82 year old mom. She doesn't give up until she just can't go anymore.

Ryan - I was wondering if you got my email. Hope it turned out well for you as it was just an idea I thought might work.

Back to the updates:

There was a small problem with the manifolds, though. They didn't come with companion flanges or stubs to weld on the new exhaust. The only parts I could find to fit cost $150 a set and that was just for 2 flanges and 2 short stubs of pipe! The flanges have an asymmetrical bolt pattern and as far as I could tell, weren't used on anything else. So, I made my own. I used the tapered die from my homemade dimple die set with a quickie made guide to form a 45* bell and the roughed out companion flange to sharpen it up.