I am in the process of replacing the entire exhaust system and I am at the exhuast manifolds. When i removed the y-pipe thought that i would find doughnut gaskets at the manifold but did not. Y-pipe was flared but it appears that the manifold has a bulge on the end that is hard as the manifold. Is this the doughnut gasket that has hardened or am i missing something here. 92 f-150, supercab, longbed, 351w.

sometimes the donut gasket just burns up, you will need new ones

Alot of the late models done have a gasket here. The flared end of the pipe seals directly to the ball end of the manifold.