The lower 2 bolt donut flange on my manifold didn't seem to have gasket when I took them off but now even tighten all the way won't seal and leaks like hell. I even lightly sanded the rust off for a good seal. I couldn't find anything online or in stores for that part. 2003 4.0l is there a link or a tip someone e has to help

 

I'm pretty sure that there is no gasket at that union. I don't have them on mine and I have a cheap Chinese aftermarket y-pipe from rock auto and they still sealed up with just the flange. I did have to drill out the studs in my manifold and replaced them with bolt/nut sets, but that shouldn't change things. I would suggest unhooking the rest of the exhaust from the y-pipe so you can easily move it as you tighten down the bolts at the manifold flange. Might need to do one side down half way then work on the other side to get them seated correctly.

 

+1 ^^^

Exhaust manifolds had no donut gasket at the pipe end

If yours is leaking then its not tight enough, i.e. rusted threads
Or pipe end flare is rusted out

You can try installing a donut gasket, pipe size should be 2.25" in a 2001

 

Yea I had the 2 spring bolts in loose holding the rear up and tightened the two sides down back and forth till seated.. they are pretty rusty my studs on the manifold have shoulders so can't tighten anymore.. probably take them off and really smooth the joints out. Thanks all.

 

Took the engine out for timing chains and this of all things is what I struggled with.

 

"if you can't raise the bridge, then lower the river"

If possible add washers under the nuts to tighten it down farther

 

The Y pipe flange seal to the exhaust manifold can distort out of round. The is especially true of after market Y-pipes. I had the same problem on the left side after taking out my engine for a timing chain system rebuild. I ended up just putting a little high temp silicone in the seal area before assembling it and it has held up well.

 

I was really thinking of going that route but didn't know if sealant of some sort would hold up to the temps it would get right there.

 

There's also that muffler putty that permatex and others make. Goes on like gray rtv but dries more like a jb weld type consistency. High heat and vibration resistance. Just make sure it doesn't get inside the flange, only a little is needed. I'm sure it wouldn't be nice to your catalytic converters.