Would you reuse a head gasket?

stevieb49829 · Apr 18, 2023

Continental F162 Flathead 4 out of a Massey 101 Jr. I bought the engine site unseen, and am pulling it apart to inspect it. The pistons, and valves look great. When comes time to put it back together, could I use the old head gasket? It's sandwiched steel, with copper inserts around bolts and water passages. No dings or bends. Just clean it and the surfaces up good, check for flat and straight, and retorque, or purchase a new gasket, just in case? steve

Tony in SD · Apr 18, 2023

Short and best answer; no. Longer answer; Maybe. But only if it is impossible to get a new one

Duner Wi · Apr 18, 2023

Being a new gasket is $41.00 at Orielly Auto I don't think I would chance it.
I have heard of painting old gasket with several coats of aluminum paint on old gasket. I never tried it.
If gasket cost $200.00 and took 2 months to get I might try reusing.

Buddy · Apr 18, 2023

Muir hill 101 · Apr 18, 2023

If one is no longer available then yes if you can get a new one then I wouldnt reuse the old one

Bob Harvey · Apr 18, 2023

No. Under extreme circumstances, they can be heat cycled in a dedicated oven (designed for such), but still no.

rustred · Apr 18, 2023

If the gasket looks good , spray it with high tack sealer and use it.

Stephen Newell · Apr 18, 2023

It's a lot of work for me to be that far in an engine. I would be inclined to give it the best chance with a new gasket. I would hate to do the job again because of a gasket.

urbancase · Apr 18, 2023

Only as a last resort, a lot of work if it leaks. To me its not worth the headache.

JD Dave · Apr 18, 2023

No-brainer. Replace the gasket. You don't wan't to do the job over.

Oldiron29 · Apr 18, 2023

I have reused head gaskets on stuck engines I have no history on. before I remove head I put torque wrench on head bolt to get rough
# what it was torqued to. Clean gasket as best you can and get block and head clean spray gasket with copper coat and torque 5-10 lbs tighter than is was. Have done Farmall H, F-20 and a 400 All are still runing no issues. I would not do it on new overhall where I had new gasket set. After you get the engine unstuck and back together you can see how it runs before you put to much money in it.

Caryc · Apr 18, 2023

How well did you enjoy pulling the head off that engine? How much would you enjoy pulling it off again a month later?

I think you are well equipped to answer that question.

kencombs · Apr 18, 2023

I've done the aluminum paint thing. But only on aircooled engines when I knew the head was perfectly flat. That is the biggest risk IMO on a multi-cylinder head. The gasket can make up for some warpage, but I wouldn't trust it to do do the second time.

Or solid copper gaskets that have been annealed.

UncleTom · Apr 18, 2023

It has been done.

stevieb49829 · Apr 18, 2023

Thanks, guys. I did see someone post on here not too long ago that had some NOS head gaskets available. Maybe they'll chime in with a deal. steve

buickanddeere · Apr 18, 2023

(quoted from post at 15:21:10 04/18/23) Continental F162 Flathead 4 out of a Massey 101 Jr. I bought the engine site unseen, and am pulling it apart to inspect it. The pistons, and valves look great. When comes time to put it back together, could I use the old head gasket? It's sandwiched steel, with copper inserts around bolts and water passages. No dings or bends. Just clean it and the surfaces up good, check for flat and straight, and retorque, or purchase a new gasket, just in case? steve

The block threads will need to be chased and the top thread relived .
New fasteners with new hardened washers .
How flat is flat ?

sandcastle1 · Apr 18, 2023

L head continental motors are really finicky about head gaskets and torque to the head. I have done several and seen some fail trying to reuse the gasket. There are several good sites for getting parts and some really good on line references. Do your research before you put anything that does not belong on the gasket on it. good luck

jimg.allentown · Apr 18, 2023

Not me! No way, no how!

Head gaskets are designed to compress to conform to the irregularities between the head and block. My best guess is that a used head gasket might work for a while, but would probably fail long before a new one would.

37 chief · Apr 18, 2023

I would not. Years ago I was told, to reuse a head gasket. Soak it in water it will swell up, and can be reused. I think they were referring to copper gaskets. With asbestos in between the copper. Stan

Nordic · Apr 18, 2023

I have reused head gaskets many times. If there is no damage to the gasket coming off and you clean the head, the block and the gasket itself and use pipe joint compound, used when doing sprinkler systems, it would be an exception if you have any problem. I have done it to a variety of engines and I have NOT had one fail. If the old gasket has damage you need a new one. Between my Dad and myself we've done it so many times for nearly 50 years with success. When a new one is part of an overhaul kit I use a new one of course. I don't know how many small block Chevy heads went back on with used head gaskets (for myself), no leaks. 40 some years ago when I was working on commercial sprinkler systems I came to realize how dependable pipe joint compound is for this type of application, just put a thin smear on both sides of the gasket. You can buy it at Home Depot if you're not dealing with a plumbing wholesale outlet.
I put the same stuff on new head gaskets too. I find it misleading when the instructions in a gasket set tell you to install it dry. If you do it's a good percentage risk for a leak.

Would you reuse a head gasket?

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