Re-Use Head Gaskets On A Motor Not Fired?

Posted By: vdriver

Re-Use Head Gaskets On A Motor Not Fired? - 12/17/11 05:40 PM

I put the heads on a fresh 318 short block and torqued them down last weekend. Now I gotta take 'em off - long story, don't ask.

Can I re-use the head gaskets, since it's never been fired? They're basic rebuilder composites.

Posted By: Pacnorthcuda

Re: Re-Use Head Gaskets On A Motor Not Fired? - 12/17/11 05:49 PM

I gonna opine that it would be better if you didn't, but I would be willing to bet that you would get-away with 're-using' them just fine.

Posted By: Mr T2U

Re: Re-Use Head Gaskets On A Motor Not Fired? - 12/17/11 06:27 PM

you have to ask yourself how much work will i have to do if this doesn't work viruses what will it cost me to do it right the first time?
only you can answer this question.

Posted By: NTOLERANCE

Re: Re-Use Head Gaskets On A Motor Not Fired? - 12/17/11 06:51 PM

Done it several times.....

Posted By: Anonymous

Re: Re-Use Head Gaskets On A Motor Not Fired? - 12/17/11 09:25 PM

I have done it--don't worry--do it.

Posted By: Cab_Burge

Re: Re-Use Head Gaskets On A Motor Not Fired? - 12/17/11 09:33 PM

Quote:

Done it several times.....

Me too

Posted By: ireland383

Re: Re-Use Head Gaskets On A Motor Not Fired? - 12/18/11 01:05 AM

Quote:

Quote:

Done it several times.....

Me too

Go for it!

Posted By: MR_P_BODY

Re: Re-Use Head Gaskets On A Motor Not Fired? - 12/18/11 04:43 AM

I did it on my currant race engine... it turns 8200
RPMs and it doesnt have any problems(its 14.1:1 compression)

Posted By: vdriver

Re: Re-Use Head Gaskets On A Motor Not Fired? - 12/18/11 03:13 PM

Quote:

I did it on my currant race engine... it turns 8200
RPMs and it doesnt have any problems(its 14.1:1 compression)

Well that pretty much clinches it.

Thanks everyone; it looks like they're going back on.

Posted By: Supercuda

Re: Re-Use Head Gaskets On A Motor Not Fired? - 12/18/11 04:51 PM

Quote:

I did it on my currant race engine... it turns 8200
RPMs and it doesnt have any problems(its 14.1:1 compression)

Really? You're running a cheapo rebuilder's head gasket on this? I seriously doubt it.

Can you reuse a head gasket? Yes, but the question is for how long now isn't it? I'd look at it like this, what would be required if I reused it and it failed? and is that less than the cost of another set of cheapo rebuilder's gaskets? (doubt it)

Posted By: Dcuda69

Re: Re-Use Head Gaskets On A Motor Not Fired? - 12/18/11 05:11 PM

I lost a cam in my 470" after 800 mi. Used the gaskets over.....now has about 3k mi. on it,no problems.

Posted By: gtx6970

Re: Re-Use Head Gaskets On A Motor Not Fired? - 12/18/11 05:30 PM

Quote:

you have to ask yourself how much work will i have to do if this doesn't work viruses what will it cost me to do it right the first time?
only you can answer this question.

Ditto,
Would it work? Maybe/probably

Is it worth it to me ? nope

Not worth the gamble to me.

Posted By: NTOLERANCE

Re: Re-Use Head Gaskets On A Motor Not Fired? - 12/18/11 06:31 PM

So, to the guys saying "Dont reuse them, I wouldnt".....

You never reused a head gasket?

Posted By: Anonymous

Re: Re-Use Head Gaskets On A Motor Not Fired? - 12/18/11 07:48 PM

I have seen Bob Reed pull the heads off his SS Hemi--throw the steel shim gasket down, put the head back on with no more than a wipe of the gasket with a rag--Then go out and run another rocking wheels in the air pass. When asked about it --the gasket had been on and off lots of times.
Now I know he runs a radiator cap with no pressure and all that but.....
You guys tell me how tightening a head gasket down the taking it loose--then putting it right back on can in any way mess that gasket up.
Go to the Smithsonian and just LOOK at a Mercury space capsule--Guys flew them into outer space and they look as if they were built in a back yard garage---
Don't worry so much--Hot Rod like the old days and keep it fun and as CHEAP as possible.

Posted By: hooziewhatsit

Re: Re-Use Head Gaskets On A Motor Not Fired? - 12/18/11 08:39 PM

As long as chunks don't come off the gasket, or it doesn't rip, I'd probably re-use it

Posted By: MR_P_BODY

Re: Re-Use Head Gaskets On A Motor Not Fired? - 12/18/11 08:41 PM

Quote:

Quote:

I did it on my currant race engine... it turns 8200
RPMs and it doesnt have any problems(its 14.1:1 compression)

Really? You're running a cheapo rebuilder's head gasket on this? I seriously doubt it.

Can you reuse a head gasket? Yes, but the question is for how long now isn't it? I'd look at it like this, what would be required if I reused it and it failed? and is that less than the cost of another set of cheapo rebuilder's gaskets? (doubt it)

Felpo gaskets on a W-9 head... do what you want...
but if it hasnt been heat cycled I dont have any
problem

Posted By: dusturbd340W5

Re: Re-Use Head Gaskets On A Motor Not Fired? - 12/19/11 12:41 AM

Quote:

Quote:

Quote:

I did it on my currant race engine... it turns 8200
RPMs and it doesnt have any problems(its 14.1:1 compression)

Really? You're running a cheapo rebuilder's head gasket on this? I seriously doubt it.

Can you reuse a head gasket? Yes, but the question is for how long now isn't it? I'd look at it like this, what would be required if I reused it and it failed? and is that less than the cost of another set of cheapo rebuilder's gaskets? (doubt it)

Felpo gaskets on a W-9 head... do what you want...
but if it hasnt been heat cycled I dont have any
problem

not going to hurt a thing

Posted By: MR_P_BODY

Re: Re-Use Head Gaskets On A Motor Not Fired? - 12/19/11 01:05 AM

Quote:

Quote:

Quote:

Quote:

I did it on my currant race engine... it turns 8200
RPMs and it doesnt have any problems(its 14.1:1 compression)

Really? You're running a cheapo rebuilder's head gasket on this? I seriously doubt it.

Can you reuse a head gasket? Yes, but the question is for how long now isn't it? I'd look at it like this, what would be required if I reused it and it failed? and is that less than the cost of another set of cheapo rebuilder's gaskets? (doubt it)

Felpo gaskets on a W-9 head... do what you want...
but if it hasnt been heat cycled I dont have any
problem

not going to hurt a thing

Its funny because I have AT LEAST 20-30 sets of head
gaskets hanging on the wall of my build room so IF
I thought it was a issue I'd grab another set and
put them on........ but I dont

Posted By: dusturbd340W5

Re: Re-Use Head Gaskets On A Motor Not Fired? - 12/19/11 02:43 AM

Quote:

Quote:

Quote:

Quote:

Quote:

I did it on my currant race engine... it turns 8200
RPMs and it doesnt have any problems(its 14.1:1 compression)

Really? You're running a cheapo rebuilder's head gasket on this? I seriously doubt it.

Can you reuse a head gasket? Yes, but the question is for how long now isn't it? I'd look at it like this, what would be required if I reused it and it failed? and is that less than the cost of another set of cheapo rebuilder's gaskets? (doubt it)

Felpo gaskets on a W-9 head... do what you want...
but if it hasnt been heat cycled I dont have any
problem

not going to hurt a thing

Its funny because I have AT LEAST 20-30 sets of head
gaskets hanging on the wall of my build room so IF
I thought it was a issue I'd grab another set and
put them on........ but I dont

yep no reason to

Posted By: Dakota_Don

Re: Re-Use Head Gaskets On A Motor Not Fired? - 12/24/11 08:19 AM

ditto... done it to with no ill effects