Exhaust Header Re-installation Leak / 82 750 Maxim

Been fixing an oil leak and had pulled off the mufflers, collector, and headers to get at it. Now that's patched up and I reassembled everything today.

The engine used to sound BEAUTIFUL . . . it purred perfectly and sounded better than any example I've heard on YouTube.

Now it is louder than it was and a tapping or knocking sound is coming out of the donuts that cover the exhaust headers. After idling for awhile a bit of exhaust is seen seeping out. It just doesn't sound right.

Now, I'm really worried about fixing this by torquing the studs down because I know they only go 7.2 ft/lbs and I've already broken a lot of things on this bike over-torquing. While searching on this topic I saw mention of gaskets/seals that were supposed to go under the donuts. Do I need to get these or can I make some with a Permatex compound?

 

The exhaust gaskets are a soft copper gasket that doesnt like to be re-used. chacal has new ones, just give him a click on the XJ engine on the top of this page.

MN

 

Exhaust pipe gaskets with pictures no less! http://xjbikes.com/Forums/viewtopic/t=29356.html

You'll want to replace them.