Ray, (can I call you Ray?)
To get the best fit of pipe to manifold, you'll want to loosen the
clamp
that MUST be attaching the pipe to the transmission bell-housing. If that
assembly is missing, or broken (often) or loose, attempts at maintaining
the exhaust seal are futile. I've had success placing a jack under the pipe
at the crook to push it tightly into place rather than relying on the clamp
to bring the pipe up tight to the manifold. Once the split clamp is secure,
align the support clamp at the bell-housing and tighten it, then release
the jack. The support at the bell-housing keeps the pipe as one with the
engine so that all of the system movement is buffered at the rubber mount
at the axle hump and at the trunk mount.
An alternative is to get thee a 1968 through 1974 manifold and pipe
which
uses a gasket and 3 bolt flange instead. These have a different set of
issues, however.
Good luck.
Peter C.
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