exhaust ports pitted?

I have a 351 Ford Commander.. (1984 Nautique) I had some exhaust leaking into the engine compartment...reason being, the exhaust gaskets were old and needed to be replaced. When I pulled off the pipes, the exhaust, old gaskets, the exhaust manifolds had some pits in them also... hence, this is why the gaskets went to heck... so my question is, can i just put in some kind of filler, gasket sealer or something to smooth it all out? because if the surface is not flat, the gasket will just leak again and burn a hole in the gasket, etc.

Thanks much!

tc

I would question if they are still worth using? If the flange is that pitted then the inside sould be just as bad and I would replace them.

marine gaskets are specific. if you have the time, get a 'kit' from skidim. the stock gaskets have a perforated foil coating.

set

use a torque wrench in sequence and never sieze on the threads. re-torque after a heat cycle. don't let the weight of the manifold crush the new gasket. i use studs to help get everything started.

i have a marine fel-pro book and a napa book, but they are being elusive right now. i thought ceramic coating the internals would be cool, but i don't think jet-hot is rated over 1300 degrees. it might be cheaper than new manifolds and give you a stock look.

jet-hot in passagoula (sp) miss. there are other places that might be cheaper.

when vince and richard know you by the sound of your voice, you have a real problem. their forum was short lived when skidim updated/upgraded their computer system. i needed an odd ball engine oil cooler line one time and they hooked me up.

i like fel-pro stuff, but opinions are like......................you might dig it up on the fel-pro site and see if your local guy can reference the number.

you will find commander used header gaskets for there manifolds. check with a speed shop in your area look for mr gasket brand they hold up the longest. if the pitts are on the flange these gaskets will seal them. we have found that the pcm gasket will blow out very quickley. hope this helps.

where, oh where can i find these magical mr gasket gaskets?

sorry woody i thought we were talking about the gasket between the manifold and the riser.
can you recomend one of those. i have a pcm 6 waterport holes
http://www.skidim.com/prodinfo.asp?number=RM0002&variation=&aitem=9&mitem=16
is this one good?

there are manifold gaskets and riser gaskets. the 'mr gasket' is a manifold gasket.

the riser gasket has a specific placement on the pcm riser to keep the top of the riser cool. not sure about the commander riser/manifold gasket set up.

you can always make your own. hylomar keeps the gaskets from sticking, but should not be used at the head to manifold joint.