I have the Edelbrock 1406 on a 318/904 combo as well. I couldn't get the stock kickdown linkage to work very well at all. It was monkey-rigged together at best. Anyway, I ended up using the Lokar setup. I am very pleased with it. Works way better than the old one ever did.
70GT, in your first and third pics, the bracket from the manifold holding the throttle and kickdown cables, was that the original bracket? was original carb 2 or 4 bbl? Also, where'd you find a 3/4" - 3/4" fitting for the water pump to intake manifold hose? Thanks!