I did some searching but have not found any exchanges that address my main question so, since it has been YEARS since I have interacted with this list, I thought I'd go ahead and test the waters...  I am replacing the collector pipe on my '84 GL which has a petrol engine.  I have done this job many times in the 20 odd years I have owned this vehicle and it is a frustrating PITA job every time because the flanges of the front and rear exhaust pipes (that attach to the heads) are NEVER in the same plane.  And since these pipes branch off to go to the driver's side ports so close to the flanges, there is very little flexibility (to say the least).  So the only thing I have found to do is to stack up gaskets in various combinations between the front/rear pipe flanges and the flange on the collector pipe.  It is a trial and error task and it near impossible to get 100% leak free.  Any suggestions for a better solution?

Thanks!

Mike V.