No engine space

I was curious since this is the first old ford I have own, how much room is actually between the tower wall and the manifold. I know there isn't much, but I have a 72 comet with a 302 and there may be an 1/8 inch on the driver side and slight bit more on the passenger. Is there due to worn out motor mounts or is the how it actually is?

 

Not much...that is why several of us have cut the towers back...Unfinished picture below.

I used to not be able to get the manifold bolts out at all, unless I jacked up the engine. Now I have headers, and can get to them and the spark plugs with room to spare.

 

does the engine shake alot when you rev it? thats usually a good sign of motor mount failure.

 

There's not much space, but you can get to the plugs with a socket that has a hex end and an open end wrench. there shouldn't be a lot of vibration when the engine is running.