[AT] Manifold to head issue

[Gunnells, Bradley R]

I've got a question to see how others might handle this issue.

I've got a Allis WD-45 that the exhaust manifold had burned out along the gasket on #4 cylinder. Since this tractor is new to me I don't know how long it was like that but I suspect years. I've torn it apart and have a new manifold to put on it but noticed when I ran a file across it that there is a bit of pitting and a slight gap around the port at the end of the head.

I know the "correct" way to fix it would probably be to remove the head and have a machine shop weld up and surface the head. But in trying to avoid that time and expense I was wondering if others have found alternate solutions to such a problem. Would something like JB Weld dabbed along the pitted area when the manifold is installed hold up? This is the exhaust port so all pressure is going to be forcing it out so I'm not as concerned about sucking something into the cylinder. Any other remedies folks have tried that have been successful?

Thanks
Brad