Harman over fire ports and burn pot gasket design?

In the Harman Advance, Both over fire Ports at the base of the flame guide were blocked with pellets and there was a lot of hard black carbon in the Burn Pot. So I got a new Harman burn pot gasket.
Are the tops of the over fire ports supposed to line up with the OEM Harman burn pot gasket knockout holes??
Why does'nt the gasket have the channels in it?
Main question.
Why are the gasket knock out holes so awkward in location and size?
How much air flows behind the burn pot?
Am I missing something?
See pics

 

I did more research on this and here is what I found.
The purpose of this secondary air is to push the flame forward to keep it from lapping the brick backing and making it black.
After further investigation, I found this feeder welderment repair kit that contains 3 configurations of the burn pot gasket.
Configuration #
1. -no extra holes for some older stoves and current stoves that do not need over fire air like the P61
2.-two extra holes for the Harman Advance that need a lot of over fire air.
3.-one extra hole for stoves models requiring some over fire air such as the smaller P43
I starting to believe these holes add air pockets to improve the flow of over fire air?
See
http://www.stove-parts-unlimited.com/Harman-Feeder-Repair-Kit-p/1-00-677150.htm

What anyone agree with this?

 

Since I am only guessing, I check with a 3rd very large Harman Dealer and they did not have an answer.
Therefore:
I opened a Harman support ticket with Tammy @ HHT headquarters in MN and sent pics and detailed info. Now just waiting to hear back

 

While I am waiting for HHTs answer I did more research and this is what I found

Pic 1 shows a PC45 Gasket for early models Pre-Serial # 008055950 - This makes sense looking at Pic 2 (This gasket is Harman part # 3-44-724115)
Pic 2 shows Page 22 of the Harman PC45 Manual with the new gasket in pic 3 with the 2 holes punched out!
The gasket in Pic 1 looks like a better fit.
The reason they may show the new gasket in the PC45 manual:
I have see Harman try to standardize on common universal parts like the auto lite 3 knob circuit board with new dip switch settings that even works in the Invinsible RS but it does not say.
Pic 3 shows a new burn pot upgrade for PB105 and PF100 -- Harman part # 1-00-73560
Pic 4 shows new burn pot gasket (Comes in a set with tail pipe gasket or exhaust flange gasket -- Harman part # 1-00-07381)

Therefore:
It looks like the PC45 manual suggests the new gasket in Pic 3 will fit all Harman models and the 2 knock out holes are for the upgraded burn pot on the PF100 and PB105 and the PC45?

It is confusing
Do you guys agree? Any Comments?

 

most of the burnpot gaskets I see dont look like your pic #3.....its interesting the gasket is still configured for the pc45, pb105, PF1oo, since all of those units are no longer available or produced......the ones I see are more symmetrical.....will try and remember to get a picture when I am back at work!

 

I replaced the weldment in my Invincible RS last year. I got all of the parts I needed for that repair at my stove shop for about half of that price.....

 

Was that a big job to replace the welderment?
Did u use a welder?
What was wrong with the old welderment?

 

Yes it was a big job. Lots of disassembly. The old weldment had a crack at the end of the feeder tube.

 

its not so bad, Don....some models tougher than others though...P series are easy, Advances tougher, XXV and Accentra FS probably the worst. Nothing needs welded at all. New weldments are pretty complete....often can reuse the auger even. Dont forget to gasket the heck out of it....one gasket on the backside, at least one, maybe two, on the front....just works better!

 

I think the Invincible was harder than all of the above

 

Is it the Invincible RS or T ? ? ?

 

it's in my sig, Don.....RS

 

I dug up a couple of pics. This was two years ago...times flies. The RS is mostly a cast iron stove. I had to completely disassemble the top and sides including removing the hopper.

 

most likely easier the more you've done.....learn some of the "tricks", etc.....and yea, that auger tube was on its way out......

 

Hello

Got the official word back from Harman.
This is a universal burn pot gasket and the punch out holes are for some models.
However
Their exact instructions are to ALWAYS remove the punch outs when installing this gasket no matter what model it is being installed into.
The reason being is that it is possible during installation for the punch outs to become loose and be disloged and get into a position where they should not be!