Changing XJ550 exhaust back to stock seems simple, but...

Sometimes I feel like such a newbie, on something that should be so simple...

After 17 years of running the Seca with the 4-into-1 Kerker exhaust the PO installed, I found a correct collector at a boneyard and four 550 Maxim headpipes to go back to stock exhaust setup.
I got all the correct gaskets and hardware from Len, and finally began installing tonight.

Boy, is this thing hard to line up for me! I have zero experience, so I have no idea what order things should be installed.
Here's what I tried: I bolted the collector underneath, put the gaskets on the bottom end of each pipe, and started installing the #2 pipe (stamped "G-2" on the top end of the pipe) on the #2 engine exhaust port. I began by sliding the bottom end into the collector clamp, then lining up the upper clamp collar onto the studs (with a new gasket slipped behind the pipe). Then I tapped the bottom and top ends "home" with a hammer and long block of wood. It lined up well.
When I tried to install the #1 pipe (stamped "G-1") onto the #1 exhaust port the same way, the fit is not as good at the exhaust port. It seems tall by a scoche, and seems to want to bind up. I can't even get the nuts started onto the studs.

Would I be better off to unbolt the collector from the frame, install all the pipes to the exhaust ports, install the collector to the pipes, then reattach the collector to the frame?
I know it's not rocket science, but if there's a definite best way, I'd like to find out before I keep busting my knuckles.
Thanks!

 

Here's the way I do it;

Bolt the pipes to the box, loosely
Bolt the mufflers to the box loosely
Lay the assembly on my legs and stomach, and slide under the bike as best I can
Life the whole assembly up and get the pipe collars on the studs and get the pipes into the exhaust ports l install the nuts but keep them loose but close
Lift the back up and install the muffler hangar bolts loosely install the collector rear mount bolt loosely

Now I have it all in place but loose. Now i can start tightening from front to back.

 

i think the pipes have numbers on them and they only fit right one way

never mind

 

Yup...#1 by your left foot, #4 by your right foot, when you are sitting on the bike while facing forward. You can figure out the other two

 

Thanks, gents! I know I'm making it more difficult than it is.
Polock, yes, I made sure the correct marked numbers were positioned in cylinder order, 1-2-3-4 left-to-right as sitting on the bike.
Hogfiddles, I'll assemble as much as I can off the bike, loosely, and see if that makes a difference.

I think was a little too excited/hurried to do all the work methodically (well) last night, methinks. I had to first drill out the bolts that had broken off in the drain/analyzer ports on the headpipes and re-tap them (ya never know what you're getting from eBay), and I fixed all four without any snags. Then I polished the pipes up, and thought I might get everything back together in one evening so I could ride today.
For me, that means something will not go according to plan, and I need to walk away before something gets damaged -- bike or me!
I'll give it more time with your tips in mind.

 

Don't despair, took me about 5 hours, yes hours to get one holed silencer off my XJ750, the other came off, lol, in my hand

Took me a whole 2 days, of heat, cutting, hammering, spraying to get the stock collector off my other XJ750 to replace with a near new one, in the end I DID cut the downpipes off ( or rather cut through the collector and about 1/4"+ on the downpipes/collector interface) .......as close to the 'actual' size as i could, was very reluctant to do this, but, it all turned out to be the easiest way, in the end, lost maybe 1/4"......didn't really make any difference to the mounting of the new (ish) collector.....the fit of the collector/downpipes can be so tight, with the original copper washers in place, as to make it almost impossible....in fact on replacement, i simply omitted the copper washers, used exhaust bandage, to effect a 'washer' the fit once again, was so tight, i don't believe ANY appreciable exhaust fumes are exiting at this 4 joint, juncture......

 

35+ years makes for a LOT of tears, something I'd completely forgotten from my previous ownership of XJ's.....when they were in their relative infancy at 6-19 years old.......you will find LOTS of stubborn/corroded/...nuts, bolts and other sundry items that will probably need to be replaced , even on the best preserved examples!!!

 

shine up the collector inlets with some scotchbrite and wipe a little grease on them
put the pipes on loose
put the collector on the pipes
the grease is the ticket

 

Gents, again you come through in the clutch...
Polock, the grease was indeed the ticket.
The order of install also made somewhat of a difference. I unbolted the collector from the bottom, and left it supported by a hydraulic jack while I moved things around and installed the headpipes. Much easier.

If you've left the project setting for awhile without an exhaust system, and you have a short memory, it's also important to, um, make sure you previously removed the old gaskets from the engine exhaust ports. They're hard to see once sooted up with carbon.
If you don't check, you could accidently install a 2nd gasket in each port, which doesn't leave you a lot of threads to put the nuts on.
And you have to take everything apart again once you realize the mistake you've made.
You can only imagine how I know this. But mistakes are the best teachers, right?

Thanks again for your helpful responses.