Manual steering was last available in the 1980 models and only on V6 models without air conditioning.
I have never seen anything restricting the combination of tilt column and manual steering. I will note that when I was still daily driving my 87
Grand National in 2001-2002 I had play in the steering that ended up being that plastic upper joint. I am not sure how or why it wore out. But I have seen plenty of guys with manual steering and the tilt column. My only advice is that the load is lessened with skinny front tires.