has anybody done this yet

well I started this thread so I guess I will finish it up with the results. I bought a length of 3/4" solid steel rod. cut the shaft and replaced the bigger part with the rod. just my luck that the bigger shaft had a 3/4 " opening and it slid right up in there. I measured the distance from the firewall to the exhaust manifold and the distance across the manifold where it was close and I ran the 3/4" rod that distance. Then I attached the coupler end and welded it all up. I drilled a couple of holes down into the shaft on top and bottom and into the rod and then welded up the holes. This is going to get me off the manifold about 1/4 ". enough to do the job. it is ready to go back in the car.

RMS makes a bushing kit to do this too.