I suspect the rear edge of your muffler heat shield may not be 'up'...up
where it goes where 4 screws attach it to the body of the van.

either that or it's past there and higher than it should be.
the right way is to install the muffler heatshield onto the engine, then
install them both together in the van.
If you tried to do it any other way that might be a facotr.

I've had the muffler heat shield hang up some as I mentioned in the first
line. ....and make things weird. Look at it from below  see if it's located
properly where the 4 screws attach it to the van body.

----- Original Message -----
From: "TJ Hemrick" <x53gunner@GMAIL.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Wednesday, March 24, 2010 6:37 PM
Subject: Coolant bottle is out of whack!

> Has anyone had their coolant bottle not line up after R&R their engine?  I
> bought a really nice used engine and after I got it into place (tranny
> bolts
> and cradle bolts secure) I noticed the heat shield was really close to the
> A/C clutch.  I hoped securing the heat shield would position it better but
> I
> had to fight (and lost) to get the coolant bottle intalled.  I guess I
> could
> take the engine down and bend the shield all to heck but I'm sure once I
> line the bolts up on that go throught the shield and the motor mounts, the
> alignment will be off again.  Anyone had this happen or have an idea what
> gives?  It's the original heat shield and it's an 87 GL Automatic.
>
> Thanks,
>
> TJ