Exhaust Plate Gasket/ Seal??

[ringstad]

Does anyone have any thoughts on preparing the exhaust plate for install. I've got an area around the exhuast ports that has lost some of its original surface paint, and a few other smaller areas the paint has bubbled off. Should I be concerned about this and use some kind of a sealant on the gasket (i.e., aviation permatex, etc.). Or is it ok to install the gasket dry? Or should I scrape off the rest of the paint?

[sschefer]

You asked for thoughts - I square mine up with 120g open coat sand paper wrapped around a big flat file. I also square up the end of the block. I repaint them with Moeller engine paint to help fight corrosion and then use peramtex #2 non hardening and the gaskets. The gaskets have sealer impregnated into them but I've had them leak so I add the permatex.

After you square them up, pre-fit them and check your exhaust ports for ledges. I use my Fordem tool to smooth them out. I also prefit the gaskets and remove any excess around the exhaust ports.

Also, don't forget to silicone the area near the upper mount as described in the shop manual.