Xj550 Seca Exhaust Gaskets and Collar Bolt?

I have a few questions regarding exhaust gaskets.
I have included two different pics of exhaust gaskets and both say they work for an 81 Seca. One is wider then the other. Which one would you recommend?
I just have one gasket leak but do I have to take off all four headers to properly install the one gasket?
My problem may be solved by just tightening the collar as there is only one bolt holding it. However, there is no stud coming out of the engine to hold the other end of the collar and the hole that use to hold the stud is stripped. My mechanic suggest getting a bigger bolt and just force screwing it in so it can make its own threads. It will be very hard to do this as it is the inner left header that is leaking but I'll give it a go. If you have any suggestions regarding this procedure I'm all ears nevertheless I'm mostly just interested in which gasket to use. Thanks.

Josh

 

Can't comment on the gaskets as I don't have that knowledge but I definitely wouldn't force a bolt in there. I would either tap it out to a larger size belt if there's enough meat there to do it, otherwise a threaded insert would be the way to go

 

Is the hole too stripped to try a thread chaser?

 

you are looking at 2 totally different parts
the one with the nuts if header to head the other one is header to collector

 

The longer one is also used from the collector to the mufflers.
You need 4 of the thinner ones for the joint at the head, and 6 of the longer ones for the rest of the system.

As for the stud repair, don't just force a bolt in. The hole needs to be repaired properly, either with an insert or threading it for a stud that has larger threads on one end for the oversize hole, and the correct threads for the exhaust collar. It's also wise to make sure that there is no part of a broken stud remaining deeper in the hole.

 

4 of this part goes from header pipe to collector
GASKET, MUFFLER
4DN-14714-01-00
$43.99
$30.26

and 2 of this part goes from collector to muffler

GASKET, EXHAUST 4
3JJ-14653-00-00

$27.99
$18.89

 

If you try to force another bolt in there, you won't get very far......my bet is that there is a stud broken off in there

 

Best bet is to install a Helicoil to return the hole to the original size and install a new stud.
If your mechanic suggests ramming in a bigger bolt.... Get a new mechanic, that's a duct tape fix.... :0
A local machine shop should be able to install one for you, the kits are super expensive

 

I don't think that's even as good as a 'duct tape fix'

 

Thanks everybody for the responses. I decided to have a professional do it. It turns out there's two holes that are stripped and the stud broke off on both of them. Probably why I have a high idle and why there's not a lot of power in the bike. In any case, if I mess up on either of those holes then that 300 dollar headache could turn into a 600 dollar headache. They're going to extract the stud, drill it, tap it, then put a helicoil in it. Thanks again.

 

have them do a threaded insert instead of helicoil , better fix

 

Why do you say that?
Helicoil is a brand of threaded insert.

 

I think he means a solid insert instead of a coil...

 

+1 way better than a standard helicoil

 

Yes, they are going to do a threaded insert which I understand are better. Thanks. Now, anybody know where I can find an original muffler for a 550 Seca?

 

Standard Helicoils have been holding airplane parts together since 1935.
While I've never worked on an airplane, I have put in a lot of Helicoils and haven't ever had one fail without it being the fault of the installer (same goes for other brands of insert).
There are plenty of other choices though.

My point being that they all work equally well when installed properly, and used for the intended application.

 

yes this is what I mean