Going to add that to my list of great quotes.
Re-use head gasket??
- Thread starter max340
- Start date
Challenger340
Well-Known Member
I don't have to "prove" anything to you.... you do as you please OK ?
Composition Head Gaskets aren't condoms....
All I'm saying is we've done it dozens of times.... never lost a Composition Head Gasket if for any reason we had to dis-assemble and then re-assemble for any reason in the past....
and we Dyno every Engine before it leaves, and we usually then see the Drag/Competition Engines back for freshening after 400-600 passes.... 800hp... 900hp.... 1,000hp N/A.... some pretty high psi apps... NEVER lost a Head Gasket !
Again..... Composition Head Gasket materials are HEAT activated, as long as the Engine wasn't Fired up and run to operating temp ..... Gasket Compression is measured in "clampload" and can be duplicated.
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Ironbuilt
Well-Known Member
That's awesome that you have had such great luck. I hope that you didn't just jinx yourself.
I would never take that chance. It's worth the price of the gaskets than to have to pull an engine back apart to replace a blown head gasket. My time is much more valuable.
Challenger340
Well-Known Member
It's not luck.... it's based in the repeatability of clampload, and the HEAT activated sealing materials used in the Head Gaskets.
MLS Head Gaskets are OK for re-use after mock-ups without firing the engine here:
https://www.enginelabs.com/news/gasket-science-can-you-reuse-an-mls-head-gasket/
The 440Source Head Gaskets are I think the FelPro 8517 PT ?
which is a cheaper composition style, however, same thing for us if the Engine wasn't fired or Heat Cycled and only Torqued for mock-up purposes I can see no reason why it can't be re-used safely as long as no surface damage when dis-assembled ?
IQ52
Well-Known Member
Gotta agree Bob. We went even further. I didn't want to spend maybe $200 on head gaskets so Cody and I did some dyno tests on a 440 while using FelPro 8519PT1 gaskets. Pulled one set of heads four times and reused the gaskets every time. Then switched to another set of heads and reused the gaskets. No head gasket failures. Us poor boys got poor ways I guess.
In my experience in past years the 440 Source head gasket was very different from the FelPro. It was then a different color and thicker.
440 Charger
Well-Known Member
Never ever.
440 Charger
Well-Known Member
Lol you goat.
Ironbuilt
Well-Known Member
My labor is worth WAY more than $100, and I know how long it takes to replace a head gasket. I would buy new.
Challenger340
Well-Known Member
It ALL about if they've been HEATED/Engine Fired and run at operating temps ?
As long as the it's just Mock ups and the Engine wasn't Fired/Run at Operating temps then I got NO problem re-using the Mock-up only Head Gaskets.
You guys obviously got waaay more money than me if you are throwing out Head Gaskets simply because they've been "Torqued" during COLD mock-up
(but never HEATED or the Engine RUN)
As long as the it's just Mock ups and the Engine wasn't Fired/Run at Operating temps then I got NO problem re-using the Mock-up only Head Gaskets.
You guys obviously got waaay more money than me if you are throwing out Head Gaskets simply because they've been "Torqued" during COLD mock-up
(but never HEATED or the Engine RUN)
Ironbuilt
Well-Known Member
No, not more money, just more common sense. If I pull the heads on my 63 Dodge 440, I am changing the gaskets, NO MATTER WHAT!! My time is very valuable, and I am not going to take a chance on wasting it by re-using a head gasket.
I am in the real world, not in a dyno room. Changing head gaskets is an hours long job. My time is better spent MAKING money, not re-doing a job that I should have done right the first time.
CHARGERSTEVEN
Well-Known Member
Id gladly take there money for new gaskets,if they only new what really happens in the engine shop with there engines lol
Ironbuilt
Well-Known Member
I wouldn't bring my engine to YOUR shop, simply because YOU can't spell. If you can't spell, I am NOT trusting YOUR math skills.
I build my own...With NEW gaskets. Shops like YOURS give the industry a bad name.
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