Fitting exhaust to my 81 550L

[Halon]

I got a 4-1 aftermarket exhaust off of ebay for my 82 550l.
Turns out it was for a different year than mine. The pipes fit into the cylinders, but the parts of the headers that actually go inside the cylinders are 13mm too long. Would it work for me to cut the ends off this part of the headers? I would have to cut off the little flanges on each end, but I was thinking maybe I could make some bushings to go inside the cylinder to make a tight fit again.
Let me know if it's possible! Right now I've just got long screws holding the exhaust in. The brackets are sticking 13mm out from the cylinders, but the fit is tight. It looks ghetto, but maybe I could leave it like this?
Sorry if this sounds too confusing. I'll get pics up later today.


TYLER

[Nessism]

Many aftermarket pipes fit just as you describe; flanges stand way off from the head. As long as the pipes fit tight to the head you are okay.

[Steve]

You need the flanges on the ends of the pipes, do NOT cut them off.

Depending on just how your clamps work, there should be some means whereby the rings that go around the tubes (I think you are calling them 'brackets'?) will push on shims that push against the flanges. If you cut off the flanges, there will be no way to ensure a good, tight connection.


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[Halon]

You need the flanges on the ends of the pipes, do NOT cut them off.

Depending on just how your clamps work, there should be some means whereby the rings that go around the tubes (I think you are calling them 'brackets'?) will push on shims that push against the flanges. If you cut off the flanges, there will be no way to ensure a good, tight connection.


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I'm probably just going to leave the pipes sticking out a bit, but if I did cut off the flanges I would make a bushing the diameter of the flange that I would slip on the end of the pipes. This would be just like having the flanges on. But it's easier and more Mad Max-esque to have the pipes sticking out a bit.
Thanks for the help guys!


TYLER

[brveagle]

Don't forget new exhaust gasket's...

[Halon]

Exhaust gaskets?????


TYLER