Slip joint up pipe?

[OldIron82]

Hey everyone. Getting closer by the day on getting the 6.9 done. While replacing studs today on the turbo up pipe, I noticed what I call the slip joint ( correct me please ) does not appear to be bottomed out but also no evidence of leaks either due to lack of soot. Is this normal, or should I heat it and beat it apart? I'm guessing it's a interference fit so I suppose rusting up helps seal it but I'm concerned that not being bottomed out in the up pipe might come back to bite me. What are your thoughts?

Also, should I sandblast and paint all these parts before header wrap, or itsy header wrap them as is?

Thank you.

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[shawn deere]

Id leave it man. You can beat it apart then itll start leaking. Itll be black if it was thinking of leaking. I actually welded mine cuz it was loose...

 

[Rossroams]

I'll second that on leaving it. I beat mine until it came loose and now I have a major exhaust leak. It's definitely not leaking how it is.