is there a gasket thingy between exhaust manifold and downpipe??

[VegasAnthony]

not sure but my exhaust manifold didnt have a gasket between it and the down pipe to the cat
isnt there supposed to be one??

93 4.0

[8Mud]

Almost positive there is a "ring seal manifold" or commonly called a doughnut in there. The downpipe top end is somewhat cone shaped, the exit on the manifold (collector flang) is flat (with a short pipe extension/nipple) and has a cone shaped "ring seal" that fits in there. The doughnut is often covered with rust and whatnot and looks much like an integral piece of the manifold. It is an absolute pain in the arse to get one off with the manifold in the Jeep without destroying something, the doughnut is often really on there and is filled with a metalic mesh. I've found the best way to get one off, is using a drill bit and just drilling material away until it gets somewhat managable with a pair of pliers. Any other methode I've tried usually ends up bending the header collector bottom flang extension pipe. Excessive force is to be avoided, like a hammer and chisel etc. the header will only take so much stress or it will crack.
An early Chevy composite doughnut will fit on there and work well, but they are also not as robust, though a whole lot easier to replace.

[VegasAnthony]

thanx.. I thought that piece was actually part of the old manifold..i could see where it would be a bear to get off
thax for the help