Can someone direct me to the correct donut style gasket that goes after the downpipe and before the catalytic. This is not one of the matched gaskets on either side of the catalytic but a single gasket closer to the bend on the downpipe. It mounts between a two bolt, spring loaded, cup and ball junction. Probably to accomodate engine torqueing during high revs. Nissan wants me to buy the entire assembly of course. Not in the budget. This is a 87 Sentra Hatchback with F/I (throttle body). Nobody seems to know exactly what this gasket looks like. (not even Nissan) Does anybody have an idea and hopefully an aftermarket vendor and part number?
I want to Thank everyone for their replys on my last post.

 

Yes I know exactly what it looks like!
Now mind you everything I'm about to tell you relates to my '94 Sentra LE 1.6L manual tranny...so take it for what it's worth.
I just (last Sat.) replaced that whole pipe (ex. manifold to cat) that you're referring to. The pipe was from http://www.autopartswarehouse.com and the maker was a co. called Bosal.

It's not really a gasket per se. It's more like a ball joint like you said in your post. Okay picture this. Think of a metal donut from yer fav. donut shop. Now in your mind ram a small cylinder thru that donut's hole hacking off the inner surface that's rounded and leaving a flat surface. That's the inside. Now in your mind use a knife to cut off top and bottom of that donut...like the way you'd slice open a bagel, but closer to each edge. That's pretty much what that thing looks like, but the outside surface is tapered so that one end is larger than the other. Hope that helps.

And yes it's known as a flex joint and it's for torque like u said. My stock one was a mesh area that rusted thru...I think the new way to do it is the bolt/spring/ball joint method.

I didn't see it under your car on that website, but you can find it looking up my car there.
Pick 94 Nissan...when it makes you choose car pick Sentra "1.6 Std/E 2dr" go to the exhaust section and select "exhaust gasket"

Scroll down to you see Walker part #WK31360 for $11.79. That *should* be the "gasket" you need...and it's the same type of exhaust sys. u have cause if you'll notice the bolts and springs are in that diagram also. The only thing that could mess you up is if our cars use diff. ex. pipe diameters. If you can prove that they are the same (don't ask me how) than you *should* be okay...but hey for $11 plus shipping it might be worth a try. They take returns within 14 days. Plus notice how cheap the pipe is when you look up your own car...cheaper than what Nissan quoted I'll bet!!! Good luck

And I just noticed yer thread title says donut gasket, and that no one knows what it looks like. Funny you decided to call it a donut gasket cause that IS what it looks like. BTW what happened to yours?

 

Man O man....thanks
no one has known what it looks like not even the parts guy at Nissan and I would of had to order the whole assy (of course)
The car never had one. It had dissolved long ago and replaced with some plumbing flange and wrapped with aluminum foil. Creative but still loud. Iam all over this thing now, I'll let you know how it comes out. Thanks again

 

Hey no problemo! If you're lucky your pipe is the same size as mine and that rigged up gasket hasn't ruined the "joint." You may want to consider ordering the springs/bolts also...unless you already know yours will not break when you remove them.

Have fun!