ok so I bought a b18a, freshly rebuilt. I had to pull the head off, and i know that it is not recommended to reuse stock headgaskets, but this headgasket is a metal 3 layer headgasket. I have never seen an OEM honda headgasket, but my friend swears that this is an aftermarket headgasket and that the metal 3 layer headgaskets are reused. The motor was never run with that headgasket, and the exact same head and block are going back together.. can I reuse it? Im not too cheap to buy a new one, but i figure if this one is aftermarket and its better, and i can reuse it, why waste it? Thanks in advance

 

I never reuse headgaskets. The are designed to crush. Some people will swear by copper spray or some other HG sealants and say that you can re-use HGs with them, but I always get a new one.

Also the 3 layer HG is probably a stock one. You can tell if there is a Honda part number on the middle layer.

 

thanks for the tip about the part number. if its OEM i'll defintily be purchasing a new one. its only $50, which isnt cheap, but im going to hate myself for not spending it if i blow the old headgasket the first week the motor is in.

 

well i checked it out today, no part number or brand. The only markings on it are one that says "up". The center layer is defintily metal and the outter two appear to be metal as well. Again, ive never looked at a stock honda headgasket so i cant compare. Any ideas?

 

It doesn't really matter it is OEM or not. If it is a 3-layer steel gasket, then they are most all the same. I can't tell the difference between an ebay MLS HG or OEM. Same quality.


Just get another one.