I think the manaul is apx. 15" from the firewall flange on the steering column -

power steering one is shorter maybe 12"

I might be off with the #'s but you should get the idea -

Another thing is I had an steering column to use with an automatic on the column - that had the right lenght, but the shaft had the inside steel tube with the lever for the kickdown was in the way for me. I'm not using it with my cable shifter - So I had to change it out because the shaft was rubbing on that tube for my manaul box.