I've reused steel shim head gaskets on a 413 successfully. And I have had them fail too. Same with Felpro permatorques, though they are more forgiving than the shim type. It's hit or miss IMO. If you have a test stand you can fire and break in the engine and it holds up go for it. I, personally, hate trying to change a head gasket leaning over a fender, especially on a big block. At least that's my thinking but if I was to try it today I'd try it with a permatorque.


They say there are no such thing as a stupid question.
They say there is always the exception that proves the rule.
Don't be the exception.