I read in a thread somewhere here that you can anneal the copper exhaust rings on your stove top as long as you get them red hot? I was tempted yo do it with oxy acetelene and a rosebud tip But was afraid of getting them too hot. What is the reccomended procedure?

YouTube is handy to review videos on a wide range of techniques, incorrect ones too. :-)

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_quer...nnealing+copper

I hang them up and hit them with a butane torch (same as you would solder copper pipe with) until they change color.
You can see a very dull glow.

Then I try to let them cool slowly, but I am told that copper is not like annealing steel and you could even quench them if you want....

We just did this on Forrest's engine and they seem to change shape enough that they fit up in the heads tighter while you put the pipes on.

Annealed exhaust gaskets are much softer than new ones right out of the bag. Mine would not seal at any reasonable torque until annealed.

Nick

If you can after you install, let engine warm up and check nut tightness and snug just a little more.