No I haven't cut the cowl yet, or glued the blindnuts in place, thank God! I thought about it & turn it off to the side a little like you suggested, but the pipe does end up in a bad spot. There are also two plywood triangle shaped pieces running vertical on each side of the firewall that make turning it at a different angle a problem. Currently the engine will be sitting sideways with the pipe coming out about dead center at the bottom. I was thinking if the dowels will allow me to re-drill it & install the blindnuts with out popping the dowels back out when I drill, then I would be home free, but I just don't know how strong it will be even if I do get away with it. [&:]