Valve cover - use OEM gasket with together liquid gasket? 1982 GS1100GK

[MtnManCO]

The surface of the cylinder head that mates with the valve cover has slight scratch marks.
The previous owner must have used a metal tool to scrape off gasket residue.

I got a new OEM gasket, plan to soak it in oil before installation and I am wondering if I will have to worry about oil leaks because of the surface damage.

GS1100GK Al surface.jpg

I have ThreeBond Liquid Gasket 1194 and Suzuki Silicone Gasket 1207B available. Should I use either one of them in conjunction with the gasket?

Thank you!

[Nessism]

I would just put the gasket on dry. No oil soak. Unlikely to leak given the scratches shown.

[Steve]

Agree with the "no liquid sealer".

Some say that spraying with WD-40 to wet the gasket helps with removal next time, but there is no need to soak in oil.

.

[eil]

If you can't catch the scratches with your fingernail, they're probably nothing to worry about. Particularly since they aren't oriented in such a way as to channel oil to the outside of the engine. But if you want to be super-duper sure, you can clean up the area with acetone and smear a LIGHT skim of blue RTV over them before putting the gasket on.

[fastbysuzuki]

When I fit a valve cover gasket I use a very light smear of high temp grease on the surfaces it stops the gasket from sticking makes easy removal.