I put my heads on about two weeks ago and still haven't started the motor. Now for other reasons, I need to pull the heads back off. Would it be ok to reuse my fel-pro 1009 head gaskets since they haven't been run yet?

if it hadnt been run, i'd do it. in fact, i thinki have done it. its the heat that I'd be worried aboiut. since you didnt start it, it should be ok.

I've done it also.

Gaskets are made to seal with the metal rings around the cylinders and water jacket holes. When compressed they are flatted out. Reusing that type of gasket imo would be a 50/50 deal with one of those 50's causing damage to your motor.

I've done it many times. Had one head with screwed up alternator hole would always seem to put it on the pass side the notice after the heads were torqued? off they came and back on again. never a problem.

I have reused them after dyno testing and had no problems, retorque them like you torque them the first time

Mark them for the side they came off, so they go on exactly like they did the first time and all is well, for a motor not fired yet.

I have the worst answer possible!


My buddy was "budget racing" many years ago. He had a big block Satellite and he would blow the engines to pieces when he missed a shift.
(DON'T ask)

I would then supply him big block short blocks by the dozen to keep him up and running.
(That's the "budget" part... )

He re-used the same Felpro head gaskets AND the same Felpro intake gasket over a dozen times, different short block every time.


Sad pathetic story, but true!