Anybody Re-use Cometic head gaskets?
Thread Starter
Joined: Nov 2006
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From: Colorado Springs
Anybody Re-use Cometic head gaskets? Like the title says. I had to pull the head after 150 miles, Im pretty sure I can. But want to see what other people say and experiences.
Thanks!
Thanks!
+1 Not worth the risk.
Once a gasket is compressed it looses its ablility to seal properly, have people re-used them yes would i no.
Can you re-use a condom..sure but why risk it.
Once a gasket is compressed it looses its ablility to seal properly, have people re-used them yes would i no.
Can you re-use a condom..sure but why risk it.
Thread Starter
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 926
Likes: 0
From: Colorado Springs
Im trying to get responses from people who do. No offense.
Yes they are just be sure to inspect and clean, recoat them properly. And you should be fine. A friend told me that cometic used to say there were reusable but some time ago they stop saying that. So they can sell more.
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Thread Starter
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From: Colorado Springs
Any more people with experience?
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I've reused mine three times in almost three years. Twice for a head swap and just recently for a lifter swap. I used carb cleaner and a light dusting of copper spray on both sides of the gasket.............
i would never reuse a headgasket even if it was made by GOD himself. Every gasket will compress some when it's torqued down. Sure it may work just fine sometimes but the time that it leaks you will say to yourself "****! now I have to tear it all back down again to put new gaskets on? I like working on my car but not that much.
lol at these dudes saying they would throw away 200 buucks worth of gaskets.....
i had a guy on another forum tell me he would never re-use an arp bolt......haha...some folks love throwing money away....
i had a guy on another forum tell me he would never re-use an arp bolt......haha...some folks love throwing money away....
I've reused mine with no issues. I cleaned them up, inspected the coating, and reinstalled dry. There were no spots where the coating had lifted and stuck to the surfaces, so I didn't bother with the copper coat.
Thread Starter
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 926
Likes: 0
From: Colorado Springs
i would never reuse a headgasket even if it was made by GOD himself. Every gasket will compress some when it's torqued down. Sure it may work just fine sometimes but the time that it leaks you will say to yourself "****! now I have to tear it all back down again to put new gaskets on? I like working on my car but not that much.
So Ive noticed tons of people saying yes (whove had experience) and a few saying no (who have none)....
The choice is becoming easier and easier.
I have once. I changed the heads on a car for a kid in town that had these gaskets. He said to reuse them so I did. Not sure if they held up or not because he sold the shortly after. I just noticed that the gasket looked thinner from having them bolted down before. It didn't look good to me but that's what he wanted. I did tell him if they leak don't come cryin to me because I wasn't going to change them out again. I've also read alot about the Cometic gaskets leaking even when they are new so I figured if they tend to leak new then just think how they would be the second time. Who knows for sure. Sometimes it works and other times it doesn't.
Also guys who have used cometic gaskets, are they supposed to be used with a decked block? Ive been told that they are specifically made to be used with the ultra flat surface of a decked block and are a 50-50 shot with un decked motors. This is why I stayed GM MLS, that and they are 30 bucks a pair...
