BENT Exhaust flange...Have you guy's done it?

[400MXer]

When i was taking my header pipe off my head, I noticed that the aluminum piece that hold's the pipe into the head was bent. Then i had a heck of a time getting it off over the studs. Finally i got it off and i was lucky that i didn't mess up the threads....anyhow. Have you guys ever had this problem. I'm not sure if i overtightened it and bent it, or something else.

[Blackguywithouta400]

The deal here is that alot of people put them on to tight. U just need to crush the copper gasket not make it paper thin to get a good seal, i did the same thing when i installed my pipe the first time after that i fixed them and installed new studs on the head just bend them back and dont do it so tight when u install it again. Just a little tip after you go for your first ride after u intall the pipe while its still hot u cant put 1\2 turn on the nut and it will be just perfect.

I had my engine apart changing the piston and my flanges were bent like that from the factory. I had a hard time getting it back on.