thanks for the suggestion- took 5 minutes to remove. Hauled off to Muffler Man - $5 later I was installing it. The welder also filed some welding BBs from the O2 sensor sealing face left by the factory. Can only surmise there are more defects on this 'bargain'. George in GR '87 Van O'White.

M
> send it back or repair this one.
> aftermarket parts .................especially exhaust parts
> - I've seen too
> many that were faulty right out of the box.
>.
> I'd say either have a welder finish welding it
> properly, or send it back.
> And, since there's some chance the next new one could
> be poorly made too,
>I'd opt for getting this one fixed, either on the van
> if it's easy to access
> the spot, or take the cat by itself to a good welder.
>.
> Fired it up and felt
> > some leakage. Strangely, it came from the base of the
> O2 sensor boss.
> > a small flaw in the weld.