Reuse headgasket?

[jimwheeldon]

I put in a new headgasket last weekend but no#1 headbolt stripped out. I'm heli-coiling the block right now. Can I reuse the headgasket? I sprayed it with copper head spray prior to installation. I have a new one - but would rather use the old if I can and return the other. The guy at the store said 'NO" use a new one....Weigh in ..your opinion would be appreciated. Jim

[Young Ed]

Dad and I have reused them on several occasions. Mostly on engines we didn't care too much about. They did run afterwards though. He sprays them with aluminum engine paint.

[Plymouthy Adams]

IMHO..use a new gasket...this one has now been compressed...

[40phil41]

FWIW, facing the same dilema, I took the sure way out and installed a new head gasket when I was chasing down several engine issues a couple of years ago. However, I still have the 'old' gasket which has about 4 hr. running time on it and I likely will re-use it if the need arises.

Phil

[TodFitch]

It is highly recommended that you only compress the gasket once.

That being said, I had to get my engine together once when a new head gasket was not available -- the 1933-34 engines have a narrower block and use a different head gasket that 1935 and up. The re-used gasket did not have a problem. But the 1933 was a much lower compression ratio on the engine and puts out less power so it is probably easier for a marginal gasket to seal than on your "late model" engine.

[Tim Frank]

To echo the other Tim, "IMHO...use a new gasket...." The one time that I didn't, enough coolant got into a cylinder after shut down that when I started the engine next time, the ceramic blew off the plug, and the rod broke.

That was admittedly bad luck, but the gasket looked pretty cheap in hindsight.

[Normspeed]

My machine shop re-used the new gasket when they had to remove the head for remedial work. I was outraged and let them know. I would have bought a new gasket myself had I known they were going to do that. The shop owner said it would hold up and so far it has for 4,000 miles, but I won't really feel good about it until I replace it.

[Don Coatney]

I have re-used the head gasket on several air cooled (lawn mower, motorcycle) engines. But I would not re-use a head gasket on a water cooled engine unless a replacement gasket was not available.

[jimwheeldon]

Hey guys- I went with the majority and used the new gasket..Now I'm holding my breath that the helicoil halods...it should ,but I never have trusted them much. Thanks for the input-Jim

[captden29]

i heard you can soak it in water, let it dry and re-use it. never tried it myself as these head gaskets are always available. a freind of mine owns an auto parts store and he had 2 of them laying around. he gave them to me so i am well stocked. dennis