Well, how can I resist chiming in? :)
Those holes are indeed the key- the two posts at either end of the
spreader tool fit in there.
You can do the job without the tool, but don't start into that AND
expect to have all your original eyes & fingers when you're done!
If you're already looking at buying the tool, why not spend a day at
the junkyards instead? What you want is the 4-into-2 exhaust manifold
and 2-into-1 downpipe from a Rabbit or Jetta up to 1981. Later Cabbies
may have these, too.
The nice thing is, these parts don't use those lousy C-clamps, AND give
you a 10% power boost, AND should bolt right in.
I did this with a Jetta recently, and it really is a nice addition.
-Simon

On Thursday, October 10, 2002, at 08:04  PM, Michael Brenner wrote:

> To All,
>
> I had so much help last time, thanks Simon and others who responded,
> that I
> thought I'd give it another go.
> Working on my 86 Cabriolet, and I'm trying to connect the exhaust
> manifold
> to the exhaust. Most normal cars do this by way of a nut and bolt
> arrangement. However this car does by way of large metal  "C" spring
> clips,
> with holes on the inside (for some purpose that is beyond me). After
> trying
> for over an hour as to figure out how to get these on, I thought I'd
> turn to
> "the list" to see if anyone else has ever put these back on and what
> is the
> proper way of doing so. Any help would be appreciated.
>
> Mike Brenner
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "DaveC" <voicebox@DNAI.COM>
> To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
> Sent: Thursday, October 10, 2002 5:02 PM
> Subject: Re: changing girlfriend's oil
>