Oxnard Montalvo

I have to pull my tranny to check the length of the pilot shaft. It is a big block (HEH CL) toploader behind a mildly worked over small block driving a 3.00 Trac-Loc rear end. (I would have said POSI but I don't want to cause Daze's butt to tighten up.)

I understand that there is a good chance the pilot shaft is barely riding in the pilot bushing because the big block shafts are shorter. This possible situation is unsat. as I like to drive this car hard so I'm going to pull it and check.

What I need to know is what is considered a good clutch/pressure plate set that won't break the bank? I may have to rebuild the tranny with a new shaft so I've got to be as frugal as I can as the "Minister of Finance" has her eye on me. Are all throwout bearings created equal? Pilot bushings?
It's been twenty years since I looked for a HD clutch and I'm sure things have changed.

Also because the car had an Indy style shifter the tunnel was cut. I will probably look for a donor car locally but what is the best way to patch it? The stock opening and the side have been cut. A piece of sheet metal was screwed on to modify the tunnel. I don't weld but I have friends who do.
Thanks.