manifold bushing???

i was leaving the house this afternoon when all of the sudden it felt like the engine was losing compression, and started making a noise like the muffler had blown a hole.... well my manifold pipe has come loose, blown a bushing? that's my question, since all that is there is the bolts and the ring and sleeve, WAS there a bushing there that needs replaced?.... there's about a 1/2" to 1" gap so that's what i'm assuming.... thanks

Most likely you blew out the fiber doughnut that fit inside the
exhaust pipe flange, pretty simple fix, unbolt the pipe take out
the rusty sleeve that is probably still there, and install your new
exhaust doughnut. Becareful when you unbolt the exhaust, the bolts
get very corroded and are known to break off when trying to remove them. Get the engine good and hot first, then spray some penetrating oil on the threads and at the head of the bolt. It will smoke something fierce right off, but it will also cool the bolt while allowing the manifold to stay hot and it may make it easier to remove the flange bolts.
Good Luck.

If the above won't loosen the bolts, blasting them with a propane torch until glowing will. Just watch what you're pointing that torch at. Plastic fuel lines melt quick.

Just thought about what you descibed, and there is supposed to be a spring in the position you are talking about. I think these have that. Keeps the bolt tensioned, but allows for movement and expansion.