exhaust headers - is this how they should look?

[Mike Sands]

I've just taken the chrome decoration off the exhaust headers for the first time and was surprised to see that the flange does not sit where it looks like it is supposed to - see pic. If it is meant to be this far off the engine casing, wouldn't you have expected a spacer on the stud?
Mike

 

[Triple Trouble]

That is correct. A spacer would prevent the header from being pulled tight to the exhaust port.

 

[xhdskip]

a spacer would work for sure,
or you could bend the flanges by over torqueing them,
as mine are..

 

[budman]

I've just taken the chrome decoration off the exhaust headers for the first time and was surprised to see that the flange does not sit where it looks like it is supposed to - see pic. If it is meant to be this far off the engine casing, wouldn't you have expected a spacer on the stud?
Mike

that's the way they are supposed to be..don't tighten them to tight and bend the flanges..good and snug is good enough..they are designed that way to keep the edge of the header pulled up tight against the exhaust gasket..

 

[Navigator]

Torque them to spec, which I believe is around 19nm, and check on occasion. I use anti-seize on mine in order to get an accurate torque.