Indentations in head pipe mating surface

[burtshaver2021]

Have a leaking Welch plug in the head pipe of my 95XP, after I got it cleaned up I noticed these indentations where the head pipe mates to the exhaust manifold, the last person to have this off must have smeared a light coating of ultra copper in the gasket, it didn’t leak. What should I do? I know the gasket is supposed to go on dry but I’m worried about these indentations. Should I just go ahead and put on dry? Or deck that mating surface with a piece of of glass and some 800 grit paper and then go on dry? Or should I smear a light coating of ultra copper in both sides of the new gasket?

 

[mikidymac]

As long as you have the graphite OEM gasket I would put it on dry.

 

[burtshaver2021]

As long as you have the graphite OEM gasket I would put it on dry.

I’m not really sure which gasket I have, I know I got it at OSD, graphite would be silver wouldn’t it, like the remflex exhaust manifold gaskets for a truck. I don’t think they are graphite but will have a look. I have a few quick questions about my spare head pipe from my oarts machine as well. Can I ask here or should I start a new thread?

 

[mikidymac]

Here should be good.
Graphite will be gray like on your truck.
If it is paper I would use a light coat of 1211.

 

[burtshaver2021]

I have my head pipe from my parts machine, the surface on it had a bunch of indentations, but patterned. I thought that there was part of a metal gasket that I didn’t get off but I don’t think so, I’m almost sure it’s the head mating surface itself. What would be the best way to seal it up? Dry? The 1211 you speak of, is it the same as the Threebond 1184? I have some 1184. This the surface of the other head pipe I have, which is leaking at the same Welch plug the picture below, I’m assuming I’m going to need to remove the elbow so the welder can do his job welding in the new plugs? What do you use in the threads when putting it back in? And here’s me testing the Welch plugs for leaksAnd last question, when I’m prepping the Welch plug for the welder how far down do I go? And my idea was to start out with a grinding wheel on an angle grinder but then switch to a sanding pad on a drill with wet sandpaper so I can have the surface perfectly flat and smooth for him hopefully. Does this sound like a good method? How do you do them?

 

[burtshaver2021]

I found the answer to one of my questions, in the manual of all places. Loctite 592 on that threaded fitting,

 

[mikidymac]

That first picture with the pattern is the old gasket that needs to be removed. It has a steel core that leaves that pattern when it comes apart.

Let the welder grind it flat and prep for the new plug.

Fitting just gets ptfe Teflon pipe dope.

 

[burtshaver2021]

That first picture with the pattern is the old gasket that needs to be removed. It has a steel core that leaves that pattern when it comes apart.

Let the welder grind it flat and prep for the new plug.

Fitting just gets ptfe Teflon pipe dope.

Thank you, the PTFE Teflon pipe dope? Is that what I refer to as as Teflon tape? Comes on a little blue spool usually, I use it for plumbing applications. I think I have some 592 that the manual calls for except it’s Permatex and not Loctite. That obviously would be ok too?

 

[mikidymac]

The paste pipe sealant, any brand is fine even hardware store brand.

 

[burtshaver2021]

The paste pipe sealant, any brand is fine even hardware store brand.

As usual, all I can say is Thank you