I have always done the same, with exception that I bend a welding rod as a pattern then hit the rack and find the closest one and trim to fit. Works every time. The old counter guys never had an issue with letting you do it that way. I can only imagine trying to explain that today to a pup behind the counter while he is asking repeatedly what year is the car as you in vain explain over and over it will not help, the motor did not exist in that car.
A chunk of flexible hot air tube works great as well . Like the stuff used from the exhaust manifold heat stove to the underside of the air cleaner snorkel. I had a chunk laying around and it worked really good. I know MacGyver. :poke: :lol: