Exhaust Gasket Problem?

[maikhorma]

i took my exhaust off, the gaskets stayed tucked inside and didn't look like they wanted to come out, so i figured i'd let them there. Here's the problem. When i put my headers back on, the brackeds do not go flush with the engine, there is about 1/4 inch gap. I have a vance and hines (i assume because of the can) 4 to 1. Is it possible that it is just how it goes (and i didn't notice that when i took it off). I tighten them as much as possible, and it really just looks like the raised part (that goes into the engine) is just longer than the space it has to slide into.

Oh yea I forgot to mention, when i started it up, it wasn't long before smoke started pouring out of all 4 headers.

Here is my attempt to show that gap in a picture


Thanks

btw, did i waste my time takeing them off to paint them with 1200deg paint? after the little time it was running it looks like its already burning though.

[ThAzKat]

that paint will wear off in awhile. the flange doesn't have to be flush to the cylinder head. the smoke is the paint burning to the pipe. Not a big problem as you seem to think.

[steves]

that paint will wear off in awhile. the flange doesn't have to be flush to the cylinder head. the smoke is the paint burning to the pipe. Not a big problem as you seem to think.

Not only that, but if you used any solvents (PB Blaster, WD-40) or anti-seize on the bolts that will all cause some smoking....

The question is whether it will stop or not.

[ThAzKat]

Oh it will stop but can you deal with the smell?

[maikhorma]

thanks for the quick reply guys, i think everything i've been doing on my bike has been going so well, i've just been waiting for something to go wrong. But yea, it was just the paint. Even so, it still makes me nervous seeing smoke pour out from around my engine. Especially since this is the first time running since i layed it down.

thanks again
back to work....

[KatanaSoldier]

When I took off the headers I just replaced the gaskets based on some advice. I got them from ronayers. No problems. They do come out easy and are very pliable if you use a screwdriver on the outside of it and just bend in towards the center. At least on my 98+ anyway.