Header leak at ball flange?

[timk225]

I just put a Pacesetter header on my 5 SXT ATX, and it's fine, but I used a NAPA 41-726 2-1/2" female adapter to connect the header to the cat.

I have an annoying exhaust leak where the adapter touches the ball flange. The surface was a bit rusted and pitted, but I figured it would carbon up quickly and stop leaking. It's sealing area is quite small, I wonder if Pacesetter would have a better formed adapter?

Will it / would it / could it? I like the header and it seems to give a bit more power (the dragstrip will say for sure), but I don't want a header leaking exhaust noise, the car is super quiet with the stock exhaust.