I had a similar chip/groove like this on a ’58 Johnson 10hp. Clean the area thoroughly with acetone, fill in with some JB Weld, sand or file flush, apply gasket sealer to the gasket and Bob’s your uncle (the other Bob, not me).
Bob
1937 Champion D2C Deluxe Lite Twin
1954 Johnson CD-11
1957 Evinrude Fastwin 18
1958 Johnson QD-19
1958 Johnson FD-12
1959 Johnson QD-20
“Every 20 minute job is only a broken bolt away from a 3-day project.”
"Every time you remove a broken or seized bolt an angel gets his wings."
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