Re-use MLS Head Gaskets?
Re-use MLS Head Gaskets? Can you re-use MLS head gaskets? I put them about 50 miles ago. I need to pull heads again and I was wandering if I could re-use these gaskets. Thanks George
I would not reuse mls gaskets but if you have to , put 3 coats of copper gasket spray on them first .
When the 3rd coat gets tackie set them inplace and do a 3 step torque down .
When the 3rd coat gets tackie set them inplace and do a 3 step torque down .
Trending Topics
If they are GM, likely the rubber will tear on removal. I wouldn't re-use for a couple of reasons. First, they are relatively cheap. Second, if they leak they are a lot of work to replace. Third, if they leak coolant into the cylinder, you could hydro-lock and take out the motor. Just my opinion but some things aren't worth the savings, this is one of them.
LS1 Tech Stories
The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time
Topdon ONE vs. Artidiag 800 BT2: Which is the Diagnostic Tablet For You?
Pouria Savadkouei
Gas Monkey Built a 6-Wheel Ferrari Testarossa With a Corvette LT4 Engine
Verdad Gallardo
7 Most Reliable High-Performance Engines GM Has Ever Built
Verdad Gallardo
Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin
Verdad Gallardo
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them
Pouria Savadkouei
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked
Pouria Savadkouei
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP
Verdad Gallardo Did you have something to add to this thread?
The stock graphite GM gaskets cannot be re-used. Anyone who has removed heads that used these gaskets can clearly see the graphite residue that remains, from the gaskets, on the head & block surfaces. The graphite is similar to copper spray in that it is used to keep the gaskets from leaking. Once the heads are removed, the gaskets are junk.
11 Second Club
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,537
Likes: 0
From: Was New Orleans, but swam to Baton Rouge
[QUOTE=vettenuts;8922622]If they are GM, likely the rubber will tear on removal.[QUOTE]
That pretty much sums it up. I have yet to remove a set and not have the rubber that surrounds all the passages ever not rip or leave some on the heads/block.
That pretty much sums it up. I have yet to remove a set and not have the rubber that surrounds all the passages ever not rip or leave some on the heads/block.
If they are GM, likely the rubber will tear on removal. I wouldn't re-use for a couple of reasons. First, they are relatively cheap. Second, if they leak they are a lot of work to replace. Third, if they leak coolant into the cylinder, you could hydro-lock and take out the motor. Just my opinion but some things aren't worth the savings, this is one of them.
Thanks guys for the info, these are GM MLS head gaskets just did a H/C swap with these new gaskets. Did not know if I could re-use or not because very time are on these gaskets. I have to re-pull heads because my Fast 90 Intake blew the back out of it. So I need to pull the heads and see if any damage was done to the heads or block. Money is not the issue here just needed know so I could order some is needed. I will pull the heads tomorrow and let everyone know the results.
PS: This is his wife typing this crap because he does not know how!!!!!!
Rene'
PS: This is his wife typing this crap because he does not know how!!!!!!
Rene'
Rene,
Make him learn to type.
Concerning gaskets, just pony up for Cometics. They are reusable and if you have the PTV clearance you can order a thinner gasket to bump up DCR. Since I checked PTV clearance using the clay method on my car, I wanted to make sure my gaskets would be fine after installing, removing, installing, removing, ……. the heads while I was adjusting timing and checking PTV clearance.
Make him learn to type.
Concerning gaskets, just pony up for Cometics. They are reusable and if you have the PTV clearance you can order a thinner gasket to bump up DCR. Since I checked PTV clearance using the clay method on my car, I wanted to make sure my gaskets would be fine after installing, removing, installing, removing, ……. the heads while I was adjusting timing and checking PTV clearance.
Save yourself the trouble of having to pull heads again, and spend $30 on a new set of gaskets. Is saving $30 really worth the trouble/worry/risk?
I don't even reuse "reusable" head gaskets, cause it's not worth it to me to pull the heads twice.
I don't even reuse "reusable" head gaskets, cause it's not worth it to me to pull the heads twice.
I reused a set of MLS steel gaskets once before and even though I copper coated them they still leaked coolant so I had to repull the heads so I will NEVER reuse another set. Of course I was running a TT setup so boost definitely without a doubt REPLACE them each time.
TECH Apprentice
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 321
Likes: 0
From: Buffalo, N.Y.
This gasket thing (not just head gaskets, but ALL gaskets) blows my mind. You can do whatever you want, but if I just spent anywhere from 1 to 2 G's on a set of heads, I, personally, would not cheap out and re-use the gaskets. I don't care what the manufacturer, or anyone else says....if I'm bolting a set of heads on my engine, they're going to be sitting on top of a new set of gaskets. Period.
I've seen guys pony up 3 to 5 G's on high-end rotating assemblies, and re-use the oil pan gasket. Someone explain this to me, 'cuz I just don't get it.....$800.00+ for a good, forged crank, $600.00+ for a set of good, forged pistons, $600.00+ for a set of good, forged rods, $300.00+ for a good set of piston rings, $200.00 for a good set of coated main/rod bearings, and $150.00+ for a good set of main studs, and now I'm supposed to cheap-out on, what, a $40.00 or $50.00 oil pan gasket....a compression carrier gasket that GM says you CAN'T re-use, anyway, much like a torque to yield fastener?
Yup, guys re-use all kinds of gaskets all the time, and report no problems whatsoever. I'm happy for 'em. You couldn't hire me to re-use a set of gaskets on any engine I'm building or modding.
I've seen guys pony up 3 to 5 G's on high-end rotating assemblies, and re-use the oil pan gasket. Someone explain this to me, 'cuz I just don't get it.....$800.00+ for a good, forged crank, $600.00+ for a set of good, forged pistons, $600.00+ for a set of good, forged rods, $300.00+ for a good set of piston rings, $200.00 for a good set of coated main/rod bearings, and $150.00+ for a good set of main studs, and now I'm supposed to cheap-out on, what, a $40.00 or $50.00 oil pan gasket....a compression carrier gasket that GM says you CAN'T re-use, anyway, much like a torque to yield fastener?
Yup, guys re-use all kinds of gaskets all the time, and report no problems whatsoever. I'm happy for 'em. You couldn't hire me to re-use a set of gaskets on any engine I'm building or modding.
