Re-using Cometic MLS Head Gasket
03-20-2011, 08:12 PM
#3
I have read that some use copper spray after they have been used once.
I called Cometic about their head gaskets after I spilled some oil on one(long story, don't ask). They are re-usable, but they did not say to spray them. They did however (for my problem) say to rinse them in soap and water. So I took mine to the bathtub (without the wife knowing) and filled it with about an inch of hot water and got some Palmolive soap and mixed it around. Then took the gasket and ran it back and forth in the water without the gasket touching the tub(kept my fingers underneath the gasket). Needless to say it worked excellent! The sealant that comes on it from the factory stayed on the gasket and actually looked like it came right out of the plastic. The little bit of sealant that got on my fingers rubbed on the tub as I was rinsing the gasket. I had to use Bar Keepers and a scotch brite pad to get that stuff off the tub!
Anyways, that is experience so far
, I will see how they work out in a couple months hopefully!
I called Cometic about their head gaskets after I spilled some oil on one(long story, don't ask). They are re-usable, but they did not say to spray them. They did however (for my problem) say to rinse them in soap and water. So I took mine to the bathtub (without the wife knowing) and filled it with about an inch of hot water and got some Palmolive soap and mixed it around. Then took the gasket and ran it back and forth in the water without the gasket touching the tub(kept my fingers underneath the gasket). Needless to say it worked excellent! The sealant that comes on it from the factory stayed on the gasket and actually looked like it came right out of the plastic. The little bit of sealant that got on my fingers rubbed on the tub as I was rinsing the gasket. I had to use Bar Keepers and a scotch brite pad to get that stuff off the tub!
Anyways, that is experience so far
, I will see how they work out in a couple months hopefully! Last edited by turbo; 03-20-2011 at 08:17 PM.
03-20-2011, 09:34 PM
#5
Per Cometic, that helps create the seal as well. I forgot to mention I tried wiping the oil off first and ended up taking some of that stuff off as well. When I put it in the hot water and soap the silicone/sealant spread right back around the gasket again like new. With the soap and water you can work it around to areas that have none. I forgot to mention--should go without saying--that you should rinse with clean hot water afterwards and let them hang dry for at least a day.
I was impressed, I literally thought I had to buy new ones till I talked to them and went through the process cleaning them.
I was impressed, I literally thought I had to buy new ones till I talked to them and went through the process cleaning them.
Last edited by turbo; 03-20-2011 at 09:52 PM.
03-20-2011, 09:34 PM
#6
Chris
What do you guys think, spray with copper and reuse or get new...Please only respond if you have had experience not what you think...Thanks
Last edited by chrs1313; 03-20-2011 at 09:52 PM.
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03-20-2011, 09:55 PM
#8
Per Cometic, that helps create the seal as well. I forgot to mention I tried wiping the oil off first and ended up taking some of that stuff off as well. When I put it in the hot water and soap the silicone/sealant spread right back around the gasket again like new. With the soap and water you can work it around to areas that have none. I forgot to mention--should go without saying--that you should rinse with clean hot water afterwards and let them hang dry for at least a day.
I was impressed, I literally thought I had to buy new ones till I talked to them and went through the process cleaning them.
I was impressed, I literally thought I had to buy new ones till I talked to them and went through the process cleaning them.
thanks
03-20-2011, 10:06 PM
#9
Dont feel like pulling the heads twice if i dont have too, but if I am worrying for nothing and can save $150 I am all for that too...
03-20-2011, 10:11 PM
#10
That seal is pretty important I believe, least Cometic makes it sound like it is lol. I would wash in hot water and soap to clean them and try to get the seal to spread, but since yours has been used it might not. If you cant get the viton to spread, then probably shoot them with copper spray like most people do.
Sending you a PM btw,
Sending you a PM btw,
Last edited by turbo; 03-20-2011 at 10:20 PM.
03-20-2011, 10:28 PM
#12
Is it better to remove all of it and spray with the permatex of just clean it up with the thinner and spray it with the copper and not worry if there is some gasket removed or missing...
Thanks
Chris
oh and by the way those ls3 valves are really nice...should have gotten them from the start with the heads...stock 2.04 is 110 grams new ones are 83 grams
...
03-20-2011, 10:31 PM
#13
Brian will the lacquer thinner completely remove the black .001 viton seal from the gaskets...I am just wondering how important this gasket is...
Is it better to remove all of it and spray with the permatex of just clean it up with the thinner and spray it with the copper and not worry is there is some gasket removed or missing...
Thanks
Chris
oh and by the way those ls3 valves are really nice...should have gotten them from the start with the heads...stock 2.04 is 110 grams new ones are 83 grams...
Is it better to remove all of it and spray with the permatex of just clean it up with the thinner and spray it with the copper and not worry is there is some gasket removed or missing...
Thanks
Chris
oh and by the way those ls3 valves are really nice...should have gotten them from the start with the heads...stock 2.04 is 110 grams new ones are 83 grams
...As for completely removing the viton and spraying them with copper...Im staying tuned..because I want to know for future reference as well!
03-20-2011, 11:48 PM
#15
Mine didn't come off in that area..just a couple of small spots on the Cylinder Ring.
The Heads are going back on Milled to a fresh surface, and I'm wiz-wheeling the ironblock deck..so both surfaces will be fresh if that makes a difference.
The Heads are going back on Milled to a fresh surface, and I'm wiz-wheeling the ironblock deck..so both surfaces will be fresh if that makes a difference.
03-23-2011, 06:08 PM
#18
03-26-2011, 08:32 AM
#20
First off: I'd skip whizz-wheeling the block. It'll polish the surface and take away some of the 'bite' the machine marks give the block retaining the gasket.
Secondly, I'd just replace the gaskets. It'll be a lot cheaper to buy gaskets than to have an internal leak and either hydrolock the motor or ruin bearings with coolant in the oil. It's cheap insurance, compared to a rebuild.
Secondly, I'd just replace the gaskets. It'll be a lot cheaper to buy gaskets than to have an internal leak and either hydrolock the motor or ruin bearings with coolant in the oil. It's cheap insurance, compared to a rebuild.