head gaskets

Nick167

Member
Is there anything wrong with reusing head gaskets? On the Oliver 77 I'm rebuilding the head gasket is $110 for a new one the old one looks OK I just hate yo spend that much for a new one when I have plenty of other expensive things to buy yet what do you guys think?
 
I think I have a new one hanging on the wall yet. If I do I would sell if for about half + I have some other gaskets for a 77. How do I contact you?
 

Without going into detail there is pretty much as much wrong with reusing it as there possibly could be.
 
Don't do it unless your stranded in the desert with macgyver and need to run a quick upper engine overhaul . I've heard guys using copper coat on both sides of the gasket and getting away with it .
 
Wouldn't do it on larger engines, but have done it on small engines. Sprayed both sides with aluminium paint and torqued down while sticky. Never had a problem on those.
ETxJohn
 
Years ago I heard of people soaking copper head gaskets in water overnight, and they would swell up and be used again.Never tried it myself. Some times you just have to bite the bullet, and spent the money. Stan
 
I re-used the head gasket on a 4 cyl Allis B once cause i had not a cent to my name at that time.
I used that tractor for years afterwards, The gasket never failed.
I would not re-use an head gasket today though,..unless it is for a little one banger
 
No don't reuse a head gasket that has already been torqued and compressed you're just asking for trouble. Spend the money and get a new one you'll be much happier. If you want to reuse the old one just realize you will be replacing it with a new one.
 
A lot depends on the head gasket it self. If it is a full metal one I have reused them and had good luck. I took the used one and put it in an oven set at 500 degrees heated it up then turned the oven off and let cool. I then coat block and head with 2 or 3 coats of Aluminum paint. The last coat I set the gasket one then the head while still wet. Did that on the Farmall BA I built a few years back and it has not leaked a drop
 
LOL...MacGyver, that is a funny one. Copper coat is a good suggestion. Years ago some of the manuals stated if the old one wasn't kinked or burned it could be used again but...new gaskets aren't like the old ones.
 
If a guy was dead broke and was trying to scab one together I'd maybe try reusing one on a simple engine that didn't require five hours of labor to remove parts to get to the head .
 
With some of the real old all copper ones and some sealer MAY BE. As a rule I vote to go with new for many reasons.
 
I have heard of very few successful re-uses of a head gasket. Solid copper gaskets can be annealed, but that doesn't make them or composite gaskets thicker where they were compressed. Aside from changing the profile of a gasket, it also imprints whatever machine marks are in the parts, good luck getting them exactly back in the grooves. The only reason I would re-use a head hasket is to run from a zombie horde. Sandy Olson's Gaskets can make anything you need, if there are no other sources. As to sealers, most modern gaskets need no sealer, "copper coat" is just goo with a little copper in it, and Hylomar is the best for gasoline exposure but it's just grease under a headgasket.
I did some research on the paint myth and tracked it down. It does works on the old stuff if you do it right.

All threads should be chased and oiled before torquing, it makes a big difference, and I usually torque head studs before removal to see if they need repair.
Use a high quality silver metallic high-temp engine enamel, not spray can fake paint. I use Bill Hirsh brand, it has so much powdered aluminum it is heavy and you can see it when you stir. The powdered metal is the most important ingredient. Using a disposable sponge brush, coat both sides, hang it from a wire and brush out the runs. Just when it gets to the point where it is still tacky but won't leave paint on your finger, do another coat. When that reaches the same tack, install the gasket and torque in order and in stages. Re-torque in 4 hours, and wait overnight to warm up the engine and re-torque again. It has done the job for me on some 20's and 30's straight and V-8 engines that had a history of blowing head gaskets.
 

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