Generation III Internal Engine 1997-2006 LS1 | LS6
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

GM head gasket reusable?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jan 14, 2018 | 01:16 AM
  #1  
98Bluebirdls1's Avatar
Thread Starter
Teching In
 
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 36
Likes: 0
Default GM head gasket reusable?

Can gm head gaskets be reused after torquing the heads ? I ran a cylinder leakdown test amd the heads were no good, so i took the heads off. the engine has not ever been fired yet. is it a good idea to replace the gaskets or just use them since there are no wear on them? Thanks!
Reply
Old Jan 14, 2018 | 04:24 AM
  #2  
Buryingthesun's Avatar
On The Tree
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 100
Likes: 0
From: Connecticut
Default

Im sure some cheap scumbag has reused them, I would never reuse a head gasket.
Reply
Old Jan 14, 2018 | 07:32 AM
  #3  
mOtOrHeAd MiKe's Avatar
TECH Fanatic
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Liked
Loved
iTrader: (8)
 
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,145
Likes: 51
From: Saskatchewan, Canada - where arguing "DA" is for the slow and weak...
Default

Originally Posted by Buryingthesun
Im sure some cheap scumbag has reused them, I would never reuse a head gasket.
I believe Denmah/Sloppy Mechanics has done this with great success. But, that is a small sample size.
Reply
Old Jan 14, 2018 | 07:44 AM
  #4  
Mart00SS's Avatar
TECH Enthusiast
15 Year Member
iTrader: (19)
 
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 597
Likes: 9
From: Tequesta, FL
Default

The answer is probably but Hell no. This is one item that makes no sense to re-use. The risk will always outweigh the gain (which is only the cost of the gasket).

Last edited by Mart00SS; Jan 14, 2018 at 06:33 PM.
Reply
Old Jan 14, 2018 | 08:10 AM
  #5  
unit's Avatar
Launching!
5 Year Member
 
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 257
Likes: 1
Default

The answer to your questions is yes, mls gaskets can be reused. That said - if you consider the amount of work involved to remove the head and prepare it for reassembly, I'd say it would be best to use new gaskets. You probably won't want to do it again if the old gaskets don't seal.
Reply
Old Jan 14, 2018 | 08:20 AM
  #6  
01ssreda4's Avatar
TECH Senior Member
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
iTrader: (96)
 
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 24,241
Likes: 89
From: Turnin' Wrenches Infractions: 005
Default

MLS can be reused yes. Does that mean I would chance it? Probably not.
Reply
Old Jan 14, 2018 | 08:28 AM
  #7  
KCS's Avatar
KCS
Moderator
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (20)
 
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 8,859
Likes: 323
From: Conroe, TX
Default

Stock MLS gaskets, and probably most of the aftermarket gaskets, are fine to reuse, especially if it hasn't gotten hot yet. Just be sure to clean it before you reinstall it.
Reply
Old Jan 14, 2018 | 05:03 PM
  #8  
code4's Avatar
9 Second Club
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
iTrader: (30)
 
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,419
Likes: 0
Default

I have reused them a few times w/o any trouble. Didn't know it made me scum though. Ha ha
Reply
LS1 Tech Stories

The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time

story-0

Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-2

Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

 
story-5

Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

10 Camaros You Should Never Buy

 
story-9

10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die

 Verdad Gallardo




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 08:31 PM.

story-0
Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

Slideshow: This heavily modified 1971 Camaro mixes classic muscle car styling with a fifth-generation Camaro interior and modern LS3 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:06:42


VIEW MORE
story-1
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

Slideshow: From wobbling harmonic balancers to failed EBCMs, these are the issues that define long-term C5 ownership and what repairs typically involve.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-07 18:44:57


VIEW MORE
story-2
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

Slideshow: A modern Camaro transformed into a retro icon, this limited-run "Bandit" build blends nostalgia with brute force in a way few revivals manage.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:57:02


VIEW MORE
story-3
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

Slideshow: Cadillac didn't just crash the high-performance luxury vehicle party, it showed up loud, supercharged, and occasionally a little unhinged...

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-16 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-4
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

Slideshow: Top ten most powerful Chevy trucks ever made

By | 2026-03-25 09:22:26


VIEW MORE
story-5
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

Slideshow: Hennessey has turned the Silverado ZR2 into a 700-hp off-road monster with supercharged V8 power and a limited production run.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-24 18:57:52


VIEW MORE
story-6
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

Slideshow: A one-off sports car that looks like a vintage Italian exotic-but hides a C6 Corvette underneath-just sold for the price of a new mid-engine Corvette.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-23 18:53:41


VIEW MORE
story-7
Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power

Slideshow: A heavily reworked 1972 K5 Blazer swaps its off-road roots for a low-slung street-focused build with modern V8 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-09 18:08:45


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Camaros You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There are thousands of used Camaros on the market but we think you should avoid these 10

By | 2026-02-17 17:09:30


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die

Slideshows: Which one of these myths do you believe?

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-28 18:10:11


VIEW MORE