I got the old gasket out, and head looked clear and I used grease to hold new one. I got so frustrated at the thing I tried installing it without the new gasket and I removed the exhaust wrap and it still wasn’t able to clear the flange. The studs are intact and I don’t see any broken pieces in the nuts when I removed them. I even removed the muffler and mid pipe just to try to mount the head pipe back on. No go. There is obviously some interference but I can’t seem to find it.
I tried both directions
Nope, collar stayed on the pipe.
Tried that today. No go. I just can’t seem to get it to install with the gasket in place. Flat side of the crush gasket facing the head and the rounder side towards the pipe, correct? I’m able to just barely get maybe one thread onto bolts the nuts, but certainly not enough to torque down without either stripping or the bolt just coming off. It should be a straightforward process. Don’t see what I’m missing. I made sure to clean all mating surfaces. Tried both orientations of the collar. Tried one side first then the other. Tried installing with and without the rest of the exhaust bolted up. Is there some difference in gaskets between the years? I have a 1996.
I’ve seemingly tried everything. I was thinking potentially it is the wrong gasket? Is there any difference between the gaskets throughout the years?
Yes and I was unable to get it to mount. Tried again today and was able to get it to mount without a gasket as well as with the old gasket. But whenever I try to install the new gasket it is just barely unable to get both studs past the flange.
