I have a 1996 Ford Ranger XLT, 114" wheelbase with a 2.3 L engine.

Just replaced the entire exhaust. The gasket RockAuto sent me is a Walker 31372, which is the correct P/N according to the Walker website. I can't get it to fit properly between the two flanged pipes which are the catalytic converter and intermediate pipe. It seems that it is too thick.

When I tighten up the spring-loaded bolts it doesn't sit evenly between the flanges.

I wound up removing the gasket and putting exhaust sealant on the mating parts and tightening up the bolts. Haven't checked for leaks yet, but I think it's going to be a problem.

Any ideas?

 

Waiting for thoughts on this as well, I just bought new spring bolts and the same gasket. Going to try to install I'm a few minutes, hope I don't run into the same problem

 

Thanks for your post.

How did your installation go?

 

Finished it last night. It went fine. Getting the old gasket out was a pain in the a$$, kept breaking apart and getting stuck. But it's all done now with new spring bolts and all. Had to cut the old ones off, the weird wing nut thing snapped at the welds so the bolt would just spin and not back out. Happened on both side lol. Also found out that that wasn't the only exhaust leak I had, so it's going to a shop in about an hour to get the other gasket/flange/bolts replaced at the header to cat pipe connection.

Did you figure yours out? I didn't think mine was going work, but I ended up picking up the exhaust at the connection, just before I tightened it all up, and it kinda pushed everything into place, then I tightened it all and it stayed put. Idk if that's possible for you, but worth a shot.

 

I bought this exact gasket for my truck. Didn't have any issues at all.

Sounds like you didn't get all of the old gasket off.

The old gasket can break and the leftover pieces look like part of a the rusty pipe. Just take a screwdriver and pry/scrape the old graphite gasket off.

Slides right on with two fingers.