72 auto to manual questions

Hi Guys
Finally started the conversion from auto column car to stick. Running into a few issues I thought I would see if anyone might have run into.
1. Z bar where it mounts to frame. There were two holes in frame but no threads or any way to attach z bar. Bought some what I was told were called riv nuts. They are 5 sided inch long aluminum nuts. They fit in holes but are not tight. Called place I bought them from and now they tell me I need a special tool to install the nut in the frame. I dont have much faith in what they are telling me.
2. Clutch rod thru firewall location and size hole? Found a circle in firewall with a dimple in middle. I'm assuming that is where the hole was drilled for a stick car. If so does anyone know the size of the hole? Is there a boot available for it?
3. Was there a lower boot for shifter? Anything go between top of tunnel hump and console hump?
4. Is the hole that was torched in tunnel hump the same size and location for auto and manual? I believe it would be but just checking.
5. Back up switch on back of trans. Wear does the wire for the switch get routed? Does it go through torched hole and where does it get connected to?
6.Car did not come with gauge package. I have a 72 Gauge cluster. Since I am changing pedals and steering column it would make sense to do gauges at the same time. I have heard its a nightmare to do. Also heard its plug and play. Anyone actually do it that knows? I could wait to tackle but I would hate to take everything apart again. I was told to do the column switch the gauges all have to come out anyhow.
Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks Steve

Thanks. We were talking about doing this. Welding washers to nuts and attaching to a welding rod to get them up through hole in frame. This is great info. Thanks

How is this project going. Sorry just saw it. I can give info/ pics for stock set up. I am also looking for steel hex rivet nuts for a second frame what fun.

You need the cluster harness from a floor shift car. 

The reverse light switch is wired into the engine harness at the firewall near the wiper motor if memory serves me correctly. It is a different setup than column shift. Vince asked me to take some pics as he is sthinking of going down the conversion rabbit hole too.  I had a bunch of pics at one point but deleted as much of that portion of my memory as I could. I would send @Lynchster a messageas his car is super clean and a factory stick car. He would have much better pictures than the beater out in my yard.