Cometic Head Gasket Re-use?

[4Las90]

I put a cometic head gasket in my car a few weeks ago and drove it not more than 100 miles when we found one of my piston rings went bad. We bought a new block and are transferring everything on there. What I want to know is if I can re-use the head gasket or if I have to get a new one?

-Bill

[TheBlizzard]

You can use them again if you are confident that your head and block are completely flat. If you are not totally confident that your head and block are flat I would just buy a new one just to be safe. How much $ is your time worth? It might be ok, and it might not? Do you want to pull the head again if it isn't? Chances are it will be just fine but you never can know for sure.

I have heard of people using them over and over again with no problems and then you hear of people swearing against it. Who is right?

If it were me I would just get a new one just to be safe.

CRAIG

[slowbubblecar]

I have heard to never use head gaskets again after they have been torqued down but some have not had problems with it. Last time I reused a stocker that was driven about 10 miles, It blew out after 2 pulls at 20psi. I don't know much about the cometics but I would torque the head studs down a little higher it I was reusing it to make sure it wouldn't leak even though tourqing them down to high isn't a good thing.

[Shane@DBPerformance]

A composite stock headgasket definately can't be reused, but metal headgaskets are sometimes reused.

[4Las90]

Thanks guys. I'm probably going to get a mitsu one depending on what the cometic looks like. But I definetly don't want to have to take it aapart again.

[JET]

If there wasn't a problem with the engine, then it should be able to be reused. I have heard of guys reusing them 5-6 times without a problem. I wouldn't go that far though. I would copper spray it too.

[Wizard]

For the effort to change it and the minimal cost ($40-100), why are you going to waste the time to even think about it? Replace it.

The only time I consider a HG safe for reuse is if the car has not had a chance to get warm. IE, initial startup and major leak, knocking sound, whatever and you shut it down. But once the engine gets to operating temp, the head and block have moved enough to shape the gasket to seal properly. If removed and reinstalled, the gasket will not always conform like it should to seal properly. Remember, once crushed they don't return to their original shape. The only HGs that are made to be reused are solid copper HGs.

Wiz

[JET]

He is talking about a MLS gasket. Unless there was trauma to the engine, it should be safe to reuse. A stock head gasket, no way. I wouldn't even reuse it if the engine went right away. Once the head gets torqued, it is done. A cometic HP you are looking at $115 to get it to your door.

I would reuse a MLS gasket way before a copper one. Copper is maleable, it moves and doesn't go back. Stainless will always move back some, so it should reseal fine.