Headpipe gasket on xs400

[kar_the_terrible]

Exhaust question.
Alrite, I have a question about the exhaust headpipe assembly for yam xs400. The manual says that the headpipe gasket goes into the engine assembly and then the headpipe along with its split collars. Now I cant seem to find the headpipe gaskets on my bike after taking apart the exhaust!!! Either they are fused with the engine now (unlikely, I hope) or the previous owner never bothered with them.

How much of a problem is this, could any damage to the engine have been done? or does this just make the bike noisier??

Thx

-K

[9000white]

you can usually find them in the exhaust port after pulling header--take a screwdriver and lightly scrape inside port to find them--i have reused them because it takes forever to get parts here.if they aint in there you cant stand the sound it makes and you can warp a valve.