Cylinder head resurface?

[sgd37]

Hi,

I'm in the middle of rebuilding my engine. Whilst cleaning my cylinder head I noticed a couple of marks I can feel with my fingernail on the sealing surface. I tried to be careful so they might have been there already. Would the head need machining or would the gasket be able to handle it?

http://imgur.com/91wgaig
http://imgur.com/3abHwuC

Also any tips on removing carbon deposits from the piston and the head?

Cheers

[Johnwebley]

I personally think the normal head gasket will cope,

[sgd37]

Thanks for the reply.

That's what I thought as well since the scratches don't go outside the gasket area. So as long as there are no high points gas shouldn't get past. But this is my first engine rebuild so I thought it best to ask.

any tips on that carbon. Would a dremel and brass wire brush be safe on the aluminium. From what I understand scotch brite and other abrasives are a no no.   

[sgd37]

After reading more about gaskets I think my above reasoning is wrong. Plus I mixed up oil and exhaust gas.

Any more opinions on these pictures.

[mike the bike]

The cylinder head on my 400 leaks oil.  I asked Trigger about it last year and he recommended having it skimmed.   I'll have it done this winter, though I should have had it done last winter but never got around to it.   
If yours leaks oil because it's not 100% flat you'll wish  you  had it skimmed before.