Damage to Cylinder Head's Gasket Sealing Surface

[YL82]

Somehow I've sustained a divot/dent to my aluminum head on the gasket sealing surface. Not sure what happened or when.

I talked to a welder friend of mine about TIG welding to fill in the cavity, but he felt that the heat would likely create some warping plus the issue of grinding it down. Not a good option. He suggested using some sort of filler when installing the gasket.

Any ideas or thoughts on what I need to do if anything or wil the gasket take care of this on its own?

Thanks.

 

[gggGary]

fuggettaboutit. a little extra sealer and no worries.

 

[Uncle Bryan]

Yeah, that's miles from anything that needs to be sealed. Just make sure the edges of it aren't raised then as Gary said, forgetaboutit

 

[YL82]

Awesome, thanks gggGary & Uncle Bryan! That's good news. I installed new standard valve guides this evening and they went in like "buttah" (after heating head at 275F for 20 minutes plus freezing guides for a week), so that's a relief to get that done. Tomorrow, will ream new guides with 8mm reamer and will look to have valve seats cut by a local shop.