Exhaust gaskets...Again

[YoungPUP]

i'm switching exhaust. And for some reason or another I can't get the exhaust gaskets out. I've broken 3 dental picks, and don't want to get any more aggressive for fear of scarring the gasket surface. Now What?

[Highbinder]

Go to Sears or one of the auto parts stores and pick-up a set of good picks, use the hooked one to get under the gasket and pull, I wouldn't be worried about scratching the surface, it takes a pretty deep scratch to hurt anything....sometimes when I don't have new gaskets I will just turn them over and put them back in and I have never had one leak yet....

[John Schmidt]

I got tired of the same battle so picked up a small flat blade screwdriver, heated it a bit and bent a bit of a curve in the end. Took 2-3 tries to get it bent to the right angle, but I can now just stick the end in there, pry up a little and the gaskets pop right out. I filed the end down even sharper than it was, found it works better for me than a pick.

My big problem now....I can't find the fool thing, so guess I'll have to make another if ever needed. 

[Sonny]

I had the same problem when I put the stock exaust system back on.  Bent a small screw driver to pull them down and out.  I've had the exaust off sevral times since doing various work.  Never have replaced the gaskets and still no leaks..