Head gasket question
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Teching In
Joined: Jul 2012
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Head gasket question So I know that this might sound like a dumb question. But what do you think about replacing head gaskets on a head swap that is less than a few hundred miles?
I don't have a problem getting new ones... they are cheap enough. but just curious what you alls thoughts are.
I don't have a problem getting new ones... they are cheap enough. but just curious what you alls thoughts are.
Depends on what type of gasket you used initially. MLS gaskets, like Cometic, can often be used 2-3 times. Graphite GM or standard Fel-Pro Perma-A-Torque gaskets can only be used once.
TECH Regular
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 403
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Its not a dumb question. Ive kicked the idea around once. I torqued my heads down, then i took them back off to change the lifters without even running the engine. but i changed mine, its tempting to try and save a few bucks. But in the end its cheap insurance to replace them.
I've reused MLS gaskets before... No problems, this was with boost too.
As said above the graphite gaskets are one time use.
What gaskets are you running?
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Staging Lane
Joined: Jun 2013
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I have reused the oem gaskets a few times when we had to and just sprayed them down with copper coat but the rubber coating was still almost all there and they worked fine.
Just remember to get a gasket that is bigger than the bore AND the chamber if you are changing to a larger chambered head so the head gasket isn't sticking in the chamber.
Another words with a 6.0 head on a 5.7 you would want the 6.0 bore head gasket to replace the 5.7 you had as the old 5.7 head gasket might be in the combustion chamber of the 6.0 head you are changing to etc.
Just remember to get a gasket that is bigger than the bore AND the chamber if you are changing to a larger chambered head so the head gasket isn't sticking in the chamber.
Another words with a 6.0 head on a 5.7 you would want the 6.0 bore head gasket to replace the 5.7 you had as the old 5.7 head gasket might be in the combustion chamber of the 6.0 head you are changing to etc.
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Verdad Gallardo If you changing heads I would get some new gaskets. The head surface will be slightly different, between the 2. I used the same heads, on the same side with the same gasket when I reused my Cometics.
