Belt sander.� That's one suggestion I got after bemoaning the need for shaved gaskets and Permatex Copper Seal (which works, by the way).

Stephen 

On Tuesday, August 12, 2014 1:57 PM, Stuart MacMillan <stuartmacm@GMAIL.COM> wrote:
  

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.