I was thinking about keeping the factory exhaust manifolds instead of headers. This is just a driver. Hopefully the wife will drive it. Doing it for her.

At first glance, it looks like the factory exhaust will lay closer to the head than a header would?

The engine came out of a truck, with sump at rear.

What did you use to get the steel plate away from the block? Do I see nuts in the pic?

Did you move the oil filter?