i swapped an 82 into a carbureted 86 model and don't remember having any issues lining that up (yes, mine has that piece you are referring to)--the only issue i remember is that the motor mount holes wouldn't line up and i had to use the ones off the original motor (the front section of the frame was an '85 for a straight-axle conversion before all these hi-steer kits were readily available--motor mount holes were still different)
in your pic i see the clean holes where it was mounted and see a hole in front of those--if you use one of those holes that's full of crap, will it now line up (ie, could it have been installed wrong to begin with), or will it no longer line up w/the trans?
it's been a long time since i looked at one, but looks like you are showing the left side of the engine, but the right side trans stiffener? i assume you don't have them on the wrong side/backwards......
