Head pitting - is a resurface needed here?

[jsandidge]

I've been cleaning my head surface (man, that old gasket material is tough). There are some areas with pitting. The area pictured here is near the front of the cam chain tunnel. It is like this on both sides, and I did have some oil seepage here. I'm thinking I should have it resurfaced. I haven't cleaned up the cylinders yet, so I don't know what the condition of that surface is. So, I have a few questions.

1. If I have to resurface both the head and cylinder surfaces, will I have interference issues between the valves and pistons?

2. Can I still use a regular OEM head gasket?

3. When I re-assemble, should I use Gaskacinch or similar to seal it?

[chuck hahn]

Shoot the gasket with some Copper Coat and let it dry. Assemble and move on.

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/ptx-80697?seid=srese1&cm_mmc=pla-google-_-shopping-_-srese1-_-permatex&gclid=Cj0KCQiA1afSBRD2ARIsAEvBsNkC6EzVrMeJqDlJEfVg16r_rxBZPw2xSsdMno_YD2dkWBelXBfxFwwaAi8DEALw_wcB

[Big T]

1. The machinist can take off a minimal amount of material, so no issues
2. Yes, you can
3. Never use sealer on the head gasket


Since you've now received 2 contradictory answers, see what others have to say. Personally, I wouldn't take Chuck's approach

[chuck hahn]

The Copper coat is made for such purposes. Ive used it and no problems..but to each their own.

EDIT..and 99% of all sealing the gasket does is at the metal rings around the barrels themselves.

[jsandidge]

1. The machinist can take off a minimal amount of material, so no issues
2. Yes, you can
3. Never use sealer on the head gasket


Since you've now received 2 contradictory answers, see what others have to say. Personally, I wouldn't take Chuck's approach

What is the downside of using sealer?

[chuck hahn]

Nothing. Some say its too sticky and makes it hard to seperate the head from the jugs. I dont buy that argument. Ff you use some wood or plastic wedges when lifting the head it comes right off easy peasy.

[rapidray]

The Copper coat is made for such purposes. Ive used it and no problems..but to each their own.

EDIT..and 99% of all sealing the gasket does is at the metal rings around the barrels themselves.

Not true! The metal rings are to keep compression from blowing out the gasket. The gasket material itself is what prevents oil leaks. Have the head skimmed .005 to .010 & it will clean right up. If you don't want to skim the head Coppercoat WILL work but I have used both & Gasgacinch WILL seal better.
Ray.

[jsandidge]

Thanks for the replies guys. I'll check pricing on skimming the head. We'll see if I go that route, but either way I'll be using sealant.

[bwringer]

If you have it skimmed, bear in mind you don't need to get rid of all the pitting -- you'd likely have to go way too deep to do that. You need it to be flat and to seal around the oil passages and the cam chain tunnel, but in the old cylinder heads I've seen there's always a lot of pitting in between the pistons that doesn't hurt anything.