Petrified Exhaust Pipe Gaskets

Hi all,

Anybody know the “right” way to remove the four ancient tubular exhaust gaskets between the 2 & 3 header pipes and the crossover pipe assembly and between the pipe assembly and the mufflers?

I dropped the whole system the other day and the old, probably original, gaskets are pretty much fossilized. I’ve gone at them with chisels, a flat edged screwdriver, and a utility knife and made some progress but I don’t want to get too aggressive and start deforming or seriously scratching anything. Some of it is on there pretty good and I don’t think I will be able to even catch an edge without getting close to the whacking too hard. It’s particularly challenging on the pipes where the gasket fused on the ID. 

All the best,
B

Wire wheel  

I think those gaskets have steel mesh in them.  A dremel cutoff wheel should hack through easily enough.  There may be asbestos in them, so try not to breathe the dust.