Header flange concerns

Guys, while resolving an exhaust leak at the passenger side header I noticed an intertesting aspect of my headers and have some questions/ideas:

1. I have solid one-piece header flanges and was wondering if it would be best cut the flanges between each exhaust port so they will bolt-up and seat to the heads better independantly rather than bolting one single solid flange?

2. Each header pipe at the flange is pushing through the flange about 3/16 of an inch. Which means the flange does not seat flush to the head, the pipe seats and the flange is held off of the head the 3/16 of an inch. It is also welded on the head-side of the flange not the header-side of the flange. It is my understanding that this should not have been done this way and the flange should be smooth on the head-side, correct? Should I grind down the 3/16 of pipe so the flange is smooth, which should make a better connection to the head?

I do not know what brand theses headers are due to the fact that they were installed by the PO. These headers are fenderwell design and for a 304. Any suggestions are greatly appreciated.

 

Sounds very like my new Hedman headers, exactly the same, was thinking the same thing when I took them out of the box but obviously that is how it is meant to be.

 

Here's what I've alway's done an it's served me well, 1.Cut the flanges between the exaust port's, 2.take a rattle can of paint an paint the flange,the side towards the head 3.flat file it till there's no more paint an satisfied the surface is flat,my have to paint file paint file several times to achieve this. Right or Wrong This is the way I've always done it.(By allmeans do not file the weld all the way off ,next post will point that out)

 

The welds on the head side of the tubes are meant as a sealing surface. Not completely flat like an exhaust manifold at all. Make sure the welds have been milled flat across the whole distance between the front port and rear port. The weld should stick out some but you want them flat if you lay a straight edge across them. I would not cut the flange as that lends strength to the header to keep the tubes from cracking.