Ok well i went to put on a new header, and found there was no way to get the connector pipe off the cat with the tools i had (in fact, i snapped an adapter on my ratchet). So i bolted the manifold back up, and then left. I noticed that there was smoke coming from underneath the hood. Not much at first, then progressively more and more. Got home, opened the hood, and it didnt smell like exhaust gas. I'm HOPING it was the penetrating lubricant i used burning away. Can anyone confirm this is likely what it is? Tightened the bolts from inner to outer as well.

 

Please reply, i gotta go get my wife from work and i'm debating on whether or not i should try it.

 

probably just the penetrating fluid cause if it was the gasket it would smell like exhaust