This is topic re-use head gaskets? yay or nay? in forum Tech Talk at Northern California Ford Owners  .


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Posted by shade-tree (Member # 298) on :
 
I developed a little H20 leak out the side/back of my head and I was wondering if my re-using head gaskets may have had anything to do with it?

head gaskets are like new, although they were run 200 miles or so and are obviously compressed already. stock replacement felpro 8548PT-2
 
Posted by JUSTIN (Member # 586) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by shade-tree:
I developed a little H20 leak out the side/back of my head and I was wondering if my re-using head gaskets may have had anything to do with it?

head gaskets are like new, although they were run 200 miles or so and are obviously compressed already. stock replacement felpro 8548PT-2
never reuse them and since you know you have a leak you have to pull the heads anyway
 
Posted by shade-tree (Member # 298) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by JUSTIN:
never reuse them and since you know you have a leak you have to pull the heads anyway
thank you, captain obvious!
only reason I bring it up is one of my friends at work says he has gotten away with it on several of his cars. He says his general rule is if the gasket is 100% intact, he'll consider re-using it. If it's only been through a few heat cycles (like mine) he'd definitely re-use it.

in any event, I'm definitely only pulling the one head with the problem. [worship]
 
Posted by yipnip5.0 (Member # 175) on :
 
wow, reuse head gaskets...that's a new one!
The only ones that can be reused are copper shim style gaskets, as for some chevys.

But a composite gasket, noooo way, it's the equivilant of reusing toilet paper. Once you torque it down, that's it.

Besides the 8548's are like $13... replacing a head gasket is at least $50 + many hours labor and down time.
 
Posted by 99gt-UJSTLST (Member # 584) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by yipnip5.0:
wow, reuse head gaskets...that's a new one!
The only ones that can be reused are copper shim style gaskets, as for some chevys.

But a composite gasket, noooo way, it's the equivilant of reusing toilet paper. Once you torque it down, that's it.

Besides the 8548's are like $13... replacing a head gasket is at least $50 + many hours labor and down time.
yea I second that

I mean there maybe a chance here and there were you can but why take that chance

when they only cost 50 bucks

I now I would be piseeed to do all that labor and becouse i cut a conner to save a few buctks I have redo the work
 
Posted by shade-tree (Member # 298) on :
 
yes, I have my passenger head down, last thing to pop is the alternator and I swap it tonight. it sucks, lessoned learned.

I now buy my gaskets in pairs--- or for head gaskets, in sets of four. That way, always an extra set around.

not making the same mistake on the exhaust gasket, that's for sure!
 
Posted by JUSTIN (Member # 586) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by yipnip5.0:
wow, reuse head gaskets...that's a new one!
The only ones that can be reused are copper shim style gaskets, as for some chevys.

But a composite gasket, noooo way, it's the equivilant of reusing toilet paper. Once you torque it down, that's it.

Besides the 8548's are like $13... replacing a head gasket is at least $50 + many hours labor and down time.
as far as I know you can't reuse the copper ones because when you torque them they crush...same as the steel shims on my runner
 
Posted by st5150 (Member # 51) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by shade-tree:


not making the same mistake on the exhaust gasket, that's for sure!
Didn't you try to re-use header gaskets once... or did you change your mind last minute and used new ones?

Would this guy that always reuses head gaskets be your chevy buddy? I'm not too hip on Chevy heads, but don't they have more than 10 bolts holding the head down? This could possibly have something to do with it? [Confused]
 
Posted by shade-tree (Member # 298) on :
 
yeah same chevy guy. there's another chevy guy at work and he says the first guy is full of shit.
I've gotten away with re-using exhaust gaskets but I'm trying not to make regular practice of it! [worship]
 
Posted by st5150 (Member # 51) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by shade-tree:
yeah same chevy guy. there's another chevy guy at work and he says the first guy is full of shit.
I guess you should email this to your Chevy buddy:


 




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