Head gasket re use
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2022
Posts: 33
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Head gasket re use
I am in the process of reassembling my 1973 corvettes 350 and as I was torquing the heads down one of the threads in the block started to pull, all of the other bolts made it to the arp recommended 70 ft lbs. I took the head back off so I can repair the threads with a time sert. I am using fel pro 1003 gaskets and I’m wondering if I can save the money and re use the gasket being that it was never ran and the gasket was only installed for a few hours.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2025
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nothing so special about 1003 gasket, except package (& price) reads Performance.
why not choose another, less expensive, but quite similar gasket, that's Not labeled Performance ?
perhaps felpro P/N 7733PT-2
why not choose another, less expensive, but quite similar gasket, that's Not labeled Performance ?
perhaps felpro P/N 7733PT-2
Last edited by Rebelyell; Mar 1, 2026 at 06:35 PM.
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A blown or leaking head gasket is just no fun. Why take a chance.
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2016
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From: Pittsburgh PA
i went thru this exact same thing this fall on my 427. just about everyone told me it would be ok to run but for the price of a gasket i didnt chance it. if there was ever anything abnormal with that engine, i would always be questioning that gasket
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Wouldn't bother me a bit if it isn't damaged.
JIM
JIM
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While testing my engine for clearance between the pistons and cylinder heads I used a couple sets of head gaskets. I chose to use new gaskets for the final build because the head gaskets were deformed/crushed during the installation and testing.
New gaskets are likely to seal better, why take a chance at having to remove the heads again? Just be sure to use the same brand gasket on both sides to keep the compression from being affected.
Valve covers gaskets can be re-used because they are easy to change. I am not that keen on removing the heads just for a gasket.
New gaskets are likely to seal better, why take a chance at having to remove the heads again? Just be sure to use the same brand gasket on both sides to keep the compression from being affected.
Valve covers gaskets can be re-used because they are easy to change. I am not that keen on removing the heads just for a gasket.