I was reading on a 5.9l magnum forum and I keep seeing over and over that some guys are reusing the same head gaskets after tear down and inspection. I was always told, that is something that should be replaced no matter what. Is this a bad practice.

I took the heads off my motor to get some work done and there is no way I am reusing the head gaskets or any other gasket for that matter,

looking for thoughts and a positive answer. Maybe I just like to spend money?

Unless its an MLS gasket, there's no chance I'm reusing a head gasket.

It's not worth the small savings, to risk a leak at such a crucial location.

That's how I feel Dustin, I just cant see the savings of $100 or less. My understanding when reading the articles is they took junk yard motors and did a inspection put them back together and put them in older mopars as a swap. it makes sense to do the swap but not to cut your hands off to save a few dollars.

Go to rockauto. I bought a bunch for $11 apiece.

I don't need them I just found it odd that they were reusing them. seems penny foolish to me

Probably shooting copper coat on both sides. It's already conformed to the deck-head surface anyway.

Hey when your cheap your cheap, I dont operate that way but I have a good friend that did things while building motors that would make your head spin (at least mine) and they would run no problem.

Wish I would have counted how many I reused in SBC circle track claim motors. Never had a head gasket failure and some of those motors seen 240 degrees fairly regularly. At the time the thought process was why put money into an engine that could be claimed for I think $500 at the time. Also reused one in a Buick straight 8. That motor is still running. I would have no problem reusing a head gasket today if I needed to. With that being said I do use new gaskets in my stuff as I see it as cheap insurance and I hate doing things twice.

A lot of folks say you can use the Cometic MLS gaskets many times. They are pretty pricey.

That being said while I save them I have not reused one yet.

Bill

Thought never occured to me to reuse one. If I didn't have bad luck I would have no luck at all so I don't take my chances on something as big of a pain as a head gasket.

What 5.9 Magnum Forum is this? Please send me the link if you don't mind.