No I didn't mean blown. I picked up a head gasket set for my car today, and some people that I drove to the store decided that rather than move things in my trunk they would dump 30 pounds of soda and alcohol on top of my gaskets.

Now obviously this wouldn't bother the other gaskets. But, they did bend the box the set was in, and the head gasket. The gasket does not lay flat. But bends up at either middle cylinder on the long side.

Would this be safe to put in the car? I am assuming that it is not.

The parties responsible were fortunately kind enough to agree to paying for a new gasket.

 

I have seen people use them and get away with it. However, If it were me and I saw any sign of a crease or it was noticeably bent I wouldn't use it.

 

No, it isn't noticeably bent, there are no creases, it simply doesn't lay flat. It looks like it would work ok once the heads get bolted on. On the other hand, I would rather not take a chance, because I really don't want to spend more time ripping it apart again.

 

If there are no creases, I say bend it back in shape and run it.

 

x2

If it's only bowed a bit I would use it.