retorquing a new head gasket
 

Long story short, I installed a new head gasket, torqued the head down, just to realize I had fogot something. I removed the head, and the gasket looks fine except for the obvious marks where the head and the block applied pressure.

We're talking about a Civic 98 D16Y7, and just in case. The gasket is of the composite type (aftermarket). In my current situation.

Should I discard it and get a new one or can I safely reuse the "never used" one?

Re: retorquing a new head gasket
 

Composite? Throw that thing away and get a proper MLS head gasket. Also, no, you shouldn't re-use a head gasket after it's been torqued down.

Re: retorquing a new head gasket
 

Being composite I might be concerned even though it hasn't been heat cycled. It might be alright but not sure based on the material.

MLS gaskets on the other hand I have since learned, this... Professional racers and race engine builders reuse their MLS gaskets all the time. They measure them to make sure they are still within the compressed specifications they required for the motor. Once the gasket is compressed beyond (3rd use? 4th use? 5th use?) then they finally switch head gaskets. Their secret is they always spray the head gasket with copper spray before re-assembly. I found it fascinating as everyone here has always said no don't reuse after it's been heat cycled once.

I personally would avoid any spray until you are re-using a quality MLS gasket though.

I do not believe any of this pertains to those graphite composite gaskets though. Those things have enough issues on their own already.