Reusing Head Gasket [Merged 2-8] headgasket reuse re-use re-using

[4ged4G63]

ok so I was searching through some old invoices in the folder that I got from the previous owner when I bought the car and I found that my car has an HKS head gasket and ARP bolts. Well, I screwed some #@%#@%#@%#@% up on the motor(2 years has gone by since it was rebuilt and since I bought it) and need to rebuild it and a friend of mine was sayin that I don't need a new head gasket and bolts.

Opinions and/or info please on this...thanks

 

[95badasstsi95]

i just put a new cometic headgasket about a little over a week ago and my intake cam skipped and i bent all 8 valves anyways i was planing on reusing the gasket it looked like it was in good shape. i had it torqed to 110 and i was thinking about torqing it to 115 scince it has already been crushed. i was wondering if it is doable, i just wanted to save 100 dollars because i get my new block in 2 1/2 weeks. so if anybody has reused a cometic let me know how it went thanks .

 

[hopwoodp]

I haven't done that before but, I would say better safe than sorry. But, if you really don't think it is that bad than go ahead. But, use some copper gasket spray when putting it back on if you do.

 

[prplhz96]

People do it. Myself on the other hand, I would rather spend the extra hundred or so and get a new one. Do it once the right way, and be done with it.

 

[burntheblobs]

Just think to yourself. "How much trouble is this going to cause me if I don't replace it and it fails". If it isn't that big of a deal to you then reuse the damn thing, it will probably work fine. If you only have one shot at putting that car back together the right way, then buy a new one.

 

[98GSt_4life]

like the topic says...

i need to know if i can reuse it because im very short on money right now and i need to replace my piston rings for reasons stated in another thread.

 

[98GSt_4life]

it been in the engine for 1500 miles

 

[xxraptor660xx]

Visually inspect it and decide, I wouldn't recommend it.

 

[Savage Talon]

This is going to sound crazy but it works, and works well. I have reused Cometic gaskets on bikes by cleaning them and using spray paint as a sealant. One good coat is all it takes, not too much though. I like a good black semi-gloss.

 

[98GSt_4life]

This is going to sound crazy but it works, and works well. I have reused Cometic gaskets on bikes by cleaning them and using spray paint as a sealant. One good coat is all it takes, not too much though. I like a good black semi-gloss.

does anyone else have any experiense with this?? or maybe even using the permax copper gasket sealer

 

[gsx951]

You should have no problem reusing a MLS gasket.
Spray it with carb cleaner to get the crap off of it and then give it a coat of copper spray.
Mine been fine for 30,000 miles on a car that is never babied.

 

[Savage Talon]

does anyone else have any experiense with this?? or maybe even using the permax copper gasket sealer

I have found the copper coat to be a little soft and paint to be more like the black sealer that comes on the gasket from the factory, but either will work. When I pulled the head off after i used copper coat there was really no sealant on the surface and you could not tell I used it. When I used paint it was stuck to the surface of the head and block much like the sealer of a new gasket would be.

 

[98GSt_4life]

I have found the copper coat to be a little soft and paint to be more like the black sealer that comes on the gasket from the factory, but either will work. When I pulled the head off after i used copper coat there was really no sealant on the surface and you could not tell I used it. When I used paint it was stuck to the surface of the head and block much like the sealer of a new gasket would be.

do you use the hi temp paint or just normal?

 

[Savage Talon]

Regular ole spray paint, remember though there is no guarantees when reusing a gasket sealant or no sealant.

 

[inneedof]

Do not reuse a head gasket, you can always find good deals on the internet, finding one for $35-$45 is not out of the question.

 

[gsx951]

Do not reuse a head gasket, you can always find good deals on the internet, finding one for $35-$45 is not out of the question.

Cometic MLS gasket for $35.00? Tell me where!

 

[inneedof]

Cometic for that price... no, you can get an oem head gasket, its a better idea then reusing a head gasket

 

[gsx951]

This thread is heading in this direction fast http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/showthread.php?t=199030&highlight=mls+reusing

There are two camps here....people who have actually done this and found there to be no problems and the people who have never done it but are sure it can't be done.
My used gasket sees 28psi each and every day.

 

[prostreetdsmx1]

1500 miles i am going to say you are ok as long as you didn't lift the head and allow for breakage or something somewhere. be sure to torque properly, maybe even give it a few extra lbs/ft.

 

[td12682]

I wouldn't recommend reusing a cometic mhg....they have a thin coating of viton on the outer layers and aid in sealing and tends to deteriorate if you try to use. And definitely do not use any type of copper spray or gasket adhesive because it eats away at the viton coating and will cause premature failure.

 

[gsx951]

I wouldn't recommend reusing a cometic mhg....they have a thin coating of viton on the outer layers and aid in sealing and tends to deteriorate if you try to use. And definitely do not use any type of copper spray or gasket adhesive because it eats away at the viton coating and will cause premature failure.

Really? How is that?

 

[assault187]

Hmmmm......I have the same Cometic HG. I have reused mine when I replaced my valve seals. I just pulled it off, shot some carb cleaner on it to clean it up real nice then sprayed Permatex copper spray on it. It sealed perfectly and its been as good as new for around 6,000 miles now and the car see's 30psi of boost everyday!

I guess what it all comes down to is the condition of the head and block. If both surfaces are clean and flat (rather then a distorted or warped head) it should seal fine.

 

[Stainbox12]

People here have problems reading. Metal headgaskets are oftenly reusable. I have a friend with a supra with an HKS headgasket, he has done 10 rebuilds, and there it is. Everything else fails but the headgasket.

 

[DSMopar]

You guys are retarded. It's perfectly fine to re-use cometic headgaskets, ask any race engine builder. Don't post about stuff you have no idea about .

 

[fourreGsixty3]

Its fine to re-use it. Just make sure it is 100% before putting it back on. gsx951 thats wicked funny to use regular semi gloss spray paint on it to held give it a semi hardend coating...I would never have though.

To the OP IF the HG is no longer good, and you don't have the fund's to get another Cometic HG then get an OEM replacement. They are good for 30-33psi. Oh yes, this is redund but make sure the head, and block deck's are CLEAN.

Update us on what you did with the gasket, and how everything went with it.

-Dustin

 

[94tsi]

YOU CAN REUSE A MLS HEADGASKET...no problem call the manufacture and they will tell u the same thing