*We're using Doug's headers. Should we use the Ram Air starter wire shield that runs parallel with the top of the oil pan? That is up to you. As long as it is protected and keep as much heat away as possible.
I have new wiring. The starter wire is protected with some asphalt looking insulation jacket. the wire is ran above the motor mount and is not in a tube. I could not find any reference in the service manual about that tube and I left it off. I have not issues with the wire getting hot.
Look for the junction block between the core and the battery on the diagram.
*For the smaller of the two heater hoses (the one off the back of the cylinder head), what have you found to be the best method of restricting the water flow so we don't blow a heater core? The fitting supplied by Edlebrock has no restrictor. I know the originals had a spiral inside the fitting to restrict flow. I did not have any sort of restrictor so I'll watch what others say.