Roy,
First, let's quickly dispel the thought that the donut gasket is hard to get.
Part Number: FPG 8592 (NAPA, Advance Auto, etc)
Product Line: FEL-PRO Gaskets
Do you have a 216 exhaust manifold? If so, it has a recess in it for the donut. The proper exhaust pipe would have a collar that would pull the flared exhaust-pipe end towards the manifold (with the donut between the exhaust pipe (inside the flared-end) and the manifold).
