I've been a long time 2nd gen. firebird fan for many years.  I'm at the point where I can afford to restore my first Trans Am.  My particular car is equipped with an automatic and 403 Olds.  I would like to convert to a manual 4spd. and a 400 Pontiac.  In regards to the mounting of the ball stud, does this mount to the pontiac block or the heads? Are there 2 versions of the 400? One for automatics and the other for manual or is there no such thing. Again, this is my first restoration and I'm learning and trying to collect as much information as I can. Any tips on the changing to a manual would help tremendously.  I will be using a Borg-Warner T10 for the car as well.
Cam  

I did something Simular.. You will need a BOP bell houseing, fork, dust boot (for the fork), a set of swing peddles, peddle linkage, upper linkage dust boot, swing arm, 2 studs (one for the blick side and a bolt type for the chassis side, lower linkage and some pins. Most of this I bought from Classic Industries. Look on the out side of the chassis in the wheel well there should be some endents across from the rear of the motor those you drill and tap for the swing arm mounting plate. You will likely have to go to Pontiac for some of the internal parts for the swing arm that are like 1.50 per but have to be bought in packs of 25 :P. I went from a 350-350 auto to a 455 HO (from a wrecked 76') and Borg warner super T-10. Got the pair for $1000 bell housing and all. The swing peddles are a easy swap you remove the pin and the auto brake and replace with the new. Remove the carpet there will be a dent for the upper rod to pass and its dust boot just under the brake booster.

Hope that helps some.