MikeE, I have not separated them yet. There doesn't appear to be excessive slop, but I will get a better feel as soon as I remove all the rust. I guess I can heat it up and then try to bend it back into shape. And as you mentioned, if it works, it's fixed! If it doesn't, I may just take it to a machine shop and have them fix it...I'm no welder! As far as the soot goes, don't believe I had much or any at all...more rust than anything else. Thanks for your thoughts on the matter!
Kato
