Stock muffler & header step

[mark55]

Hi again,
I removed my stock muffler to install a slip on muffler I bought. I decided to go back to the stock muffler because I was not happy with the slip on. Is the stock muffler supposed to slip past the little step on the header or should it stop before the step on the header? As it is now, it easily slipped past the step & the clamp was tightened down. A picture of how your stock muffler is mounted at the header would be helpful. Thanks.

[hansum-mane]

That step is the gasket. I've read guys have reused it but it is extremely prone to flaking and deformation. You might need to replace it if you're going stock again. The stock link pipe should go over the gasket though. If you don't feel any leaks you might be ok.

[mark55]

Thanks for the reply. Here are a few pics (not my muffler LOL). The step I am referring to is just part of the header & its metal. You can see from the schematic that the only "gasket" would be the connector. In the muffler pics you can see that the connector is inside the link pipe. I am thinking since there is some space left in the link pipe, the connector inside the link pipe butts up against that step and looks like it goes over the step. What you guys think?

[hansum-mane]

Ah, I thought you were referring to the gasket. When I removed stock pipe, the gasket stayed on and was pressed up against the "step". In your picture, the gasket is still in the link pipe. It and the link pipe should be backed all the way up to the step until the pipe stops. Some anti seize spray might help you out if it's not sliding to the stop.