I chopped of a good 1in off the inner SFC brackets.
Cut some slots and hammered some parts down.
I also used a TIG welder, so gaps are more of an issue compared to MIG.
IDK why, but they didn't fit to my unibody worth a dam. every car is different I guess.
We all know when it comes to cars, nothing just goes together perfectly the 1st time.

 

Hey did you find a solution on that 85 2.8 so that it wouldn’t obstruct the hose? I have an 86 and noticed after my shop has done some work for me, that it is also in the way, but I feel that it drives better with the bar on the car than without. Is it worth leaving or will the slight deflection from the bar do damage to the motor or radiator? ( I would say it maybe depresses the hose a quarter to a half of an inch on both sides, and is still allowing coolant to pass through. without any overheating as of yet.)

 

Post some pictures of where these two come into contact
As long as the lower hose isn't crushed to the point it impedes coolant flow it shouldn't be an issue, I would be concerned with the hose over time rubbing against metal, eventually the hose will chafe possibly creating a this spot that could burst under pressure, you could use some split loom/corrugated tubing to keep it from chaffing.