i'm kinda curious on this.. i'm about to possibly take the head off a K series engine.. and i don't wanna sound cheap, but do we ABSOLUTELY need to replace the head gasket.. if the head and block doesn't need any mill and the surfaces are perfect ?

there are plenty of old School guys that say we do, but this isn't the day of the composite headgaskets.....

curious.. if i need to i will but curious because this topic has never really been brougt up...

this would be the best place because of the trade.. (motorbuilding abuse etc)

I know old gasket would cook and seal, but metal ones don't do this..... idea's ?

 

I have reused the cometic head gasket on our racecar many of times when they came off in good condition...I always used a lil coper spray on them though...

 

I torqued my head down and when i did the last arp stud decided to remove the threads from the block. So anyway, apart it came and now the 1/2 arp studs are in. Re using gasket. oem gasket.

 

i do it all the time on my racecar, just usually inspect the layered material if all good, copper spray it and clean off around the oil holes (or it gets caught in your bearings from circulating around oil when dried).

the meatl gaskets are very tough ... also I check compression before and after on each cylinder to ensure its sealing good.

Greg

 

I too have reused a Cometic headgasket on my personal car. Held up fine with out any troubles at all. Like Mike above said, I do use a coat or two of copper gasket spray when re-using them.
Although, while you have the head off this would be a good time to raise or lower compression given your plans with an aftermarket gasket like the Cometics. They come in different thicknesses and in a standard MLS or the HP for turbo/n2o engines to add extra sealing around the bore.

 

its doable with copper spray , but read my sig