Can I re-use these gaskets?
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 2,699
Likes: 2
From: The Black Hole LA
Can I re-use these gaskets?
This may seem like a stupid question, but can I re-use a set of head gaskets if all I did was bolt the head on the engine a couple weeks ago only to take them off this coming weekend? Engine has never been ran. Thanks
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 802
Likes: 0
From: What do I know anyway? I'm just a 50 year old No0b
Are they copper gaskets? Supposedly copper gaskets can be re-used but I wouldn't trust it myself. Especially if you have aluminum heads. For all the potential trouble that may happen I would consider it cheap insurance to use new gaskets. The ones you have now have already been 'crushed' and may not seal again. My .02 
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 2,018
Likes: 1
From: OR
Probably could but it depends on (1) do you feel lucky? (2) how many times to you want to take it appart? I doubt re-using it would be recommended. For me, if it's the lawn mower that I can take appart in 5 minutes, I'd re-use it. On a modern car where the engine is buried under a mountain of cr*p to begin with, I think I'd spend the money and replace it. My experience has been when I don't have enough time or money to do something right, I still always time to do it over. It would probably be ok, but I don't think I would try it myself. jmo
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Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 2,699
Likes: 2
From: The Black Hole LA
I figured I needed new ones, just wanted to verify before I spent even more money on this project.
As far as the intake gasket is concerned, most people use RTV on them and if you try to take them apart its just a mess, usually end up tearing them.
As far as the intake gasket is concerned, most people use RTV on them and if you try to take them apart its just a mess, usually end up tearing them.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 90,675
Likes: 304
From: SE NY
Cruise-In II Veteran
For head gaskets I would NOT reuse them even if the motor had not been run.
I reuse the "upper" intake gaskets (runners & TB) on my stock TPI until they begin to disintegrate. But always use new base to head gaskets.
I reuse the "upper" intake gaskets (runners & TB) on my stock TPI until they begin to disintegrate. But always use new base to head gaskets.
