I've decided to cut off part of the mount dress the edge and place some grooved rubber over it to protect my hands when working under the car. I'll attach the part I cut off to the rest of the steady-rest which I will save. It could easily be mig welded back on. I checked a friend of mine modded 56 with a 302 and nothing is there as I expected including the shields. 

56 Vic, B'Ville 200 MPH Club Member, So Cal.