redbird555

iTrader: (14)

Hi guys I picked up an 01 ls6 shortblock with 5k miles on it, now it has been sitting for a few years but it has been kept inside. Im going to be throwing it in my camaro with a little hotter cam and 243 heads. I know the gaskets are all supposed to be reusable but I was going to replace them anyway however when I combined all the gaskets together its gonna be 300 bucks just in gaskets. I dont wanna sound cheap but I also dont want to spend money where its not needed will I be ok with reusing the gaskets? Naturally I'll be using new head gaskets, oil pump ring, and water pump gaskets. But as far as things like the oil pump, crank seals timing cover etc will I be ok even though theyve been sitting with the engine in a garage.

Pocket

iTrader: (22)

Seriously?

Gaskets arent food. They dont go bad just with age. If the engine was stored next to a blast furnace, maybe, otherwise run it

redbird555

iTrader: (14)

Ya seriously, i thought that maybe since there has been no oil around to keep them lubricated the neoprene would dry out over time. But ya i plan on just replacing whats needed and running it.

Pocket

iTrader: (22)

Yeah, after 10-15 years. Dont worry about it

BlackBirdDaddy

iTrader: (16)

Hey Guys -- I have a similar situation with a LS2 I picked-up with about 3-2k miles on it. I am also replacing cam and heads and was under the assumption that I should be replacing the gaskets. I pulled the oil pan just to check things out, looked very clean and I was going to replace that gasket as well.

I guess I'm used to the old school 350, 427 engines with old technology gaskets!

Thanks,
Jim

Pocket

iTrader: (22)

If the cover/pan gaskets dont separate from their metal frame when removed, then reuse them. Intake gaskets are just big o-rings so make sure they're not flattened

About the only things that cant be reused are head gaskets. Older waterpumps use paper gaskets that fall apart, but those are uncommon

sjsingle1

iTrader: (1)

these new style rubber gaskets get old and flatten out........new gaskets are VERY cheap insurance.......dont be penny wise and a pound foolish

redbird555

iTrader: (14)

Thanks guys I'm obviously replacing the vital ones such as the front seal and rear main but the oil pan, timing cover etc all look to be in good shape and the gskket kit is 300. Not trying to sound cheap but when you add all the parts for the motor and these all look new the little **** adds up. Gm manual says theyre reuseable soooo...

TransWS6Am

iTrader: (41)

i was in the same boat with my LS3 build, The engine only had 30,000 miles on it, but i said **** it, id rather spend the money on new gaskets than have a hell of a time trying to replace a oil pan gasket or timing cover gasket. Would i have been ok running the used gaskets? probably.