installing correct engine cross bar, any reason i can't do it this way? Options

[pt_700]

after years of driving around with the incorrect early bar on my '71 sideshift conversion, i've sourced the correct late bar (with the holes for cables & shift rod - i'll be sure not to install it reversed!).

i'm planning to back her up onto ramps and supporting the engine on at least a couple stands. provided i do that well, any reason i couldn't replace that cross bar without disturbing parts other than the rear shift rod and clutch cable?

i seem to recal that flipping the washers on the bar to body mounts might stiffen things up a bit. is that correct or should i just replace those?

long term plan was to change to sbc but, that's a long way off...