Exhaust pipe (header)

[MiDNiTXX]

I just removed my exhaust pipe and was looking for the gaskets to remove so I could put the new ones in...and I don't see them.

Do they actually crush to the point they have to be forceably removed? I didn't want to start digging around scratching it up if they aren't there. Visibly I cannot see anything in the exhaust ports...

Thanks guys,

Robert

p.s. Oh yeah, and when I took out the "joint nuts" the whole bolt came out on 3 of the 4 ports...is it ok to put them back the same way they came out or should I seperate them and put the bolts back in first?

[Northman]

I just removed my exhaust pipe and was looking for the gaskets to remove so I could put the new ones in...and I don't see them.

Do they actually crush to the point they have to be forceably removed? I didn't want to start digging around scratching it up if they aren't there. Visibly I cannot see anything in the exhaust ports...

Yes. You can either dig them out, or leave them be, and hope they seal.

p.s. Oh yeah, and when I took out the "joint nuts" the whole bolt came out on 3 of the 4 ports...is it ok to put them back the same way they came out or should I seperate them and put the bolts back in first?

I always remove the nuts, then thread the studs in, then install the nuts the proper way, but it's more personal preference than necessity.

Do as you feel, either method will work fine, but the "Honda" method was to have the studs installed first, that way there is no tightening torque on the aluminum threads when installing the header.

[MacBirdXX]

What Northie says makes sense. If I was a good midnight mechanic, I would have put the studs and nuts on just like that, but I'm not. 3 of my studs came out when I replaced my stock system with the micron system. On my next service call, I asked the honda guys to check them out for me and they said they were fine. Maybe I got lucky. I left the gasket alone too. Really bad mechanic. Since then, I've sharpened up somewhat.