skrapiron -FSO wrote on 08/13/08 at 05:10:40:Muffler cement, epoxy and muffler tape (bandage) are all temporary measures.
As the exuaust goes through it's heat and cool cycles, the filler/tape becomes brittle and will eventually flake off. It's good for getting you home, or sealing a leak long enough to pass an emission's inspection, but it is not a permanent fix.
The only sure cure is to have it professionally welded shut.
My experience with the 2000 degree muffler cement is that it lasts about a year, after which time it needs to be re-applied. This is way cheaper than taking it to a welding shop, and once you weld it to the Savage header pipe, you've got to drop the entire exhaust system to take either the muffler or header pipe off. Furthermore, you can't change to a different muffler later on without cutting the weld on the header pipe, and even then there is a fair chance you will damage the header pipe trying to cut the weld. Why bother welding, when it is so easy and cheap to use 2000 degree muffler cement as a sealer?