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Does this need machining?

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Old Sep 14, 2025 | 11:55 PM
  #1  
leakyz28's Avatar
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From: Long Island
Car: 88 IROC-Z
Engine: 350 H.O. w/ 113 heads (SUM-8800)
Transmission: 700r4 stage 2 500hp
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Does this need machining?

Was cleaning my deck surface with the wire wheel and I switched to a smaller one, noticed after the fact that it left some marks in the surface that wouldn't scotchbrite out. I'm kinda worried since this is where the steel fire ring is supposed to seal, I'm using fel pro severe duty 501 gaskets, would I get away with this or does this need machined? maybe copper spray? I don't know if it'll mess up the gasket.

I attached multiple angles below of the problem area



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Old Sep 15, 2025 | 09:33 AM
  #2  
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Re: Does this need machining?

Yeah that "cleaning" was a bit too violent. I don't think I'd try to run that.
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Old Sep 15, 2025 | 10:30 AM
  #3  
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Re: Does this need machining?

copper coat the head gaskets and youll be fine.
i wouldnt worry about it one bit
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Old Sep 15, 2025 | 11:04 AM
  #4  
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Re: Does this need machining?

I do not use a scotchbrite on an assembled engine, all of the particles go in the engine and they are abrasives. As long as you're not using steel shim head gaskets I say put it together and see what happens.
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Old Sep 30, 2025 | 09:41 PM
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Car: '84 Berlinetta
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Re: Does this need machining?

Looks like aggressive cleaning there. At this point I would take it to a machine shop if it was a customer's engine, but you may be just fine with the head gasket or with some special head goo and gasket. I suppose it was proven that JB weld can stand in as a head gasket for a while, but I digress.

If it was my engine in a project car and I was just getting it to run before building something else, I would toss it together and check compression before full assembly. If it is close to or better than before disassembly, all is good for now.
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