This is the aftermarket quality we are stuck with now.  In the past I've
ground the flanges into a bit of a wedge shape and used two gaskets.

Other than taking them to an exhaust shop for "adjustment" or buying the
expensive SS options from the vendors, that's all I can come up with.

Stuart

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
Vanderzanden Michael (DCUS/SET21)
Sent: Tuesday, August 12, 2014 10:00 AM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: '84 GL exhaust leaks

I should add that not only are the front and rear pipe flanges never in the
same plane, they seem never to even be in parallel planes...

_____________________________________________
From: Vanderzanden Michael (DCUS/SET21)
Sent: Tuesday, August 12, 2014 12:51 PM
To: 'vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com'
Subject: '84 GL exhaust leaks

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.