Are fel pro MLS gaskets reusable?
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 74
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Are fel pro MLS gaskets reusable? I just installed a set and found the heads need to come back off. I just had the heads milled and cleaned the **** out of the block. The car has only run 30 mintues and 4 miles. Can they be reused or not? I am also using 12pt headstuds if that makes any difference.
Teching In
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 37
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From: Amarillo, Texas
1st - Are they Fel-Pro MLS or Cometic MLS. I wasn't aware that Fel-Pro made a MLS for the LSX engines, not to say they don't - I just have never seen one. If they are indeed Fel-Pro, I have NO experience with them. However, if they are Cometic I have LOTS of experience. As they say in journalism "for the record" : Cometic says to be safe always replace them once they have been installed. "Off the record" : I have seen them reused on several occasions, especially in the scenario you described - ran for only a short time and they weren't leaking or causing a problem. I would suggest recleaning the mating surfaces with a solvent like acetone. Don't use a scraper!! If you have any stubborn spots you can scrub them lightly with some fine scotchbrite. MLS gaskets work best with a super smooth mating surface. The Cometics have a thin black coating on both sides of the gasket - some of that will have come off. I would suggest coating the gasket with "Copper Coat"(made by Permatex), a product originally used to coat copper head gaskets - you can find it in auto parts stores - usually with the other gasket sealing products. Just coat the whole gasket - both sides with a medium coat - think spray paint here - good even coverage, but not so thick it's running and dripping off. I usually hang it by a coat hanger for this. Let it dry for about 5 - 10 minutes until it becomes "tacky", then immediatly assemble. Be sure they are installed the right direction(So the water jackets on the front of the block are lined up)!
Hope this helps....
Hope this helps....
Banned
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 326
Likes: 0
From: North Bay, CA
Perfmachine said it perfectly - I can only add that the Fel-pro MLS will have a blue coating, and is more rubber like than the cometics, which may mean that it will resist tearing better when you pull them off.
