So im in the lovely process of getting these cattmans onto my car and back on the road, and ive run into a snag...



The headers are bolted on and aligned properly, and i went to put the crossmember with the engine mounts back on before putting the ypipe on. The front engine mount bolt is hitting the header!

I tried tightening it a little, but the bolt is going to dig into the pipe if i tighten any further. Has anyone else run into this issue? I always heard cattmans require no modifications, and im a little miffed that im having this issue.

I think the only way to remedy this is to cut/grind off the end of the bolt that isnt threaded - but im afraid doing so will make it next to imppssible to get the bolt back into the mount and threaded into the square nut thats welded on - it was difficult enough doing so with the tapered end and i cant imagine doing it without.

Any insights on how to proceed here? I think i might just take a hand dremel and grind the end off while its still threaded to the mount, but im a little concerned since bolts tend to be extremely tough steel, plus the close (ie: touching) proximity of the header tube.

 

Also somewhat related, if anyone has tips for how to get the damn rear motor mount bolt aligned so it can thread...

 

Would it be possible to add some washers on top so it won't screw in as far?

 

One of the primary tubes has a dent. It's bent.

 

Nothing a dremel or grinder can't fix. Or get a shorter bolt.

Those look like ancient pre-dinosaur Cattmans.

 

Honestly, washers arnt a bad idea..

And where are you seeing a dent? Those blotches are antiseize lol