I installed the heat exchangers with all new gasket and they were leaking . I removed them to adjust and the gaskets are not usable. I had to order new gaskets.
Are there any tricks to the trade ?

The headers that I removed had no leaks .

These are six HE's. Not the four.

Copper gaskets? Anneal them with a torch. This will slightly soften them and they will conform to irregularities.

well,
put a large flat piece of metal across both ends to see if they are on the same plane and will both sit flush on the head.
They may not be perfect....so file them to make them perfect.

I also suspend the rear with one lose bolt and tighten up the head connections first, so I know those are all set.
Then I hang the muffler...

Otherwise, at least in my experience, the head leak.

Rich

PM sent Stoddard ? Dansk new version ones ??
If so check flanges. . mine were not parallel to heads and Stoddard recalled them.
This is a picture with a straight edge and the gap. .

If yours are OE factory exchangers, they [at least mine do] should have a stepped ring on the center of the flange. . You should be able to look at the gasket and see the impression where it mated and see where the leak is. . .
I never use these gaskets over as they crush where this ring is. .

Hey Paul
Are the 6 flanges thicker or thinner than those on the headers ?
Be sure that the threads on your exhaust studs have been cleaned with a die.
A good parts store will have repair dies that are the size of a 13 mm nut.
The barrel nuts can tighten on the threads before tightening the flange to the heads.
Also, as the barrel nut goes further onto the stud, the allen key can be pushed out of its recess before the nut has tightened the flange to the head.
You can remedy this by putting a split lock washer under the barrel nut.
You can determine which cylinder is leaking by removing the spark plug wires one at a time while the engine is idling.
Use insulated spark plug pliers.

Thanks all ,
I got it all sorted out .

The gaskets needed to position the right way with the coppered side up .

I noticed that after ordered a second set. Out of 10 I ordered only 2 were stamped . As shown in picture .

Because if the lip on the HE's the softer side must face them.

No more leaks .

Agreed with your positioning, but what stamp are you talking about? It
says "Victor Reinz".

I think it says top.

I'll look again.

That's just dumb luck. TOP is just the part of VICTOR that shows. I've always
installed the copper side toward the head, but good to know there's going to be
problems the other way.

I haven't bought those gaskets in a while.
Yours are different than those of the past.
My older ones are a thin sandwich of copper-asbestos-copper.