4-2-1 troubles

[scampbel98]

I've just finished installing a 4-bolt 4-2-1 header in a 1980 Spider. The engine is a 1.8L block with 2.0 FI head. The car originally had a 49 state 4-1 header. The exhaust system installed but the heat shield and the stud protrusion hit the two down pipes. I took off the heat shield on the steering arm and clearanced the down tubes a bit but may have to grind off some of the stud. Is this unique cause of my setup?

Any chance my motor and granny need pushed forward a bit?

The down tubes fit well along cross member , but the mount point for the transmission support point don't quite line up.

Thoughts and ideas appreciated

[vandor]

I've seen weird fit issues with exhaust when different engines and exhaust are installed.
Things should fit in theory, but sometimes in practice they do not. If the idler arm hits the pipe you may put a small dent in the pipe for clearance. You can also try to loose the idler bolts (where it bolts to the body) there is slight play there, maybe you can move it enough to gain clearance.

[Ptoneill]

Another issue is an improperly aligned or failed motor mount. The motor mounts are bolted into slotted brackets you may want to see if they are centered or if they worn or broken.