I'm getting ready to start putting my 12a back together, but while cleaning the Irons I've noticed a lot of pitting where the seals contacted the iron. Is this something I need to be concerned about or should I be OK?

Thanks!

 

I think they're ok.
If concerned you can smear some epoxy like JB weld over the pitting. Just be sure it's totally flat while it's still wet by running a utility blade or putty knife over it.
I'd probably do that to the one 2nd photo.

 

Great, that's way better than the horrific alternatives I was coming up with.

Thanks!

 

i would smear a little silicon on it

 

Silicone or JB as described above. I've done both, either should be fine!

Mazda actually uses a JB weld type product on brand new housings if they have any defects, was a bit of a surprise the first time I saw that!

 

JB weld is an amazing product .
You can fix a CRACKED block with jb weld , I have seen a engine that had a crack get stitched and the holes filled with JB weld and go on to do another 50k miles. ( it was a old ford 4 cylinder, the guy heated the area with a blow torch until red hot a few times to make the oil " sweat out" before doing it .
Every oil cooler i have I sand the neck degrease it and leave it as virgin as possible and then with the JB weld putty wrap it like a sleeve and then with JB weld Original smooth it all out. Why ? You guys made me paranoid about breaking oil cooler bungs 😂🤣 That JB weld has held up well and will prevent the aluminum from stretching at all , that stuffs hard as a rock !

 

LOL!

I once ended up with an E30 that had destroyed its oil pan on a curb. 4x6" chunk of aluminum and 6 packs of JB weld later...

No leaks and it held perfect until I sold the car. New owner was planning to completely restore the car but it wouldn't surprise me if it that pan was still holding up, out there somewhere..


Its good stuff.