Yep, I have it now too even with the earlier 1.9 exhaust on my new 2.1,
though mine hits in a different place.  Unfortunately, the rubber motor
mounts are soft and allow too much rocking of the engine on startup.
Not surprising given their age.  I wish I'd replaced them when I had the
engine out, it's a lot tougher now, probably a three hour job, depending
on how much I have to disconnect to lower the engine enough to get at
them.

Eventually it will  wear a hole in the pipe, I have a pretty good dent
going already.  Maybe a chunk of rubber from an old tire sidewall or
something can be attached to the support bracket that is getting hit or
something similar might help until you replace the mounts.

"John W. Parkins" wrote:
>
> I fairly recently changed the heads and exhaust on my '87 Westy.  Sometimes
> when I start the engine, I hear a thump from the engine compartment. When
> the engine "catches" the torque causes the engine to rotate in the engine
> compartment.  The exhaust pipe, from the left back cylinder, hits a
> structural support bar, under these conditions.  (The exhaust hits where
> the pipe makes its 90 degree bend toward the front of the van.) The exhaust
> is OEM, and I've tried to adjust it so that there is more clearance (I
> suppose there is about .25" clearance). The exhaust system fits so tightly
> that there is not much "play".  Has anyone else had this problem? Will I
> damage the exhaust (probably) if this continues to be a problem? Any
> suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

--
Stuart MacMillan
Seattle

'84 Vanagon Westfalia w/2.1
'65 MGB (Driven since 1969)
'74 MGB GT (Restoring)

Assisting on Restoration:
'72 MGB GT (Daughter's)
'64 MGB (Son's)

Parts cars:
'68 & '73 MGB, '67 MGB GT