Head gasket

[steve from staten island]

i had to remove one head on my rebuilt 383. The engine has yet to run and while i need a new valley pan gasket can i reuse the head gasket?

 

[khryslerkid]

I don't know after compressing it once, if would effect it or not. Hopefully someone on here did it once with out any repercussions. I'd almost do it myself to save the cost of buying another top end kit. I'm pretty sure you can buy just the head gaskets.

Are you using another head or did you have it repaired?

 

[partmopar]

What Kind of head gasket? brand. I myself have never reused them even if it has never been started. I have heard of guys doing it but I think a lot depends on the application. how much compression etc.

 

[steve from staten island]

Hey Kid thanks. Im going to try and buy one head gasket or both just the same as the one on the good head. for some reason i dont want two different gaskets. I located two heads and will pick them up next week. The machinist is going to re do it on the cuff but im still going to give him something. He said he either looked the head over or inspected it or something. I dont think he actually magnuflued it but he seemed baffled he missed it. You know i work for guys in business and i know how it feels when something goes south so im not holding his hand to the fire. A lot of guys would have made every excuse in the book and would never do something over for free. **** happens but to be honest next time i want that head fully checked out.

 

[Cranky]

I assume you are using composition gaskets......if there's no sticking, then yes.

 

[mopar 3 B]

No head gaskets are not reuse able nor is your valley pan. They are stamped steel with stamped ridges around cylinders and intake ports. Once this ridges have been compressed steel stampings are trash.

 

[Hemi Rebel]

Id be more apt to use the valley pan over again opposed to a head gasket. What does it look like?
As long as it comes/came off intact you should be able to get away with it. Its not unheard of for cylinder head torque sequences to include a step that has the head bolts being loosened up and re torque after the initial torque. Know this, worse case scenario is it doesn't hold and it needs to come apart. I haven't seen the gasket but would be 90% confident it would be ok

 

[steve from staten island]

I messed up the valley pan gasket. Question,do you use any sealer on the valley pan? i thought sealer was suppose to be used around the water passages

 

[khryslerkid]

I always like to use a small bead of Permatex #2 around the water ports. On both sides of the gasket. Then apply some in the corners where the head meets the block.

 

[Cranky]

There are no water passages on a big block intake and with steel shim head gaskets, I only use a coating of dull aluminum spray paint on so long as the head and block surfaces are smooth. If they have tool marks from milling that you can feel, then I go with composition but I ask for a smooth finish on my stuff with both style of gaskets. On the intake, I've seen them with and without RTV and other sealants. If RTV is used, use the type that is fuel resistant and use a very light coating of it....not a bead. Generally people get crazy with it and use way too much no matter what it's on and that is when you run into trouble.

 

[khryslerkid]

Damn Cranky! What was I thinking? Must have been thinking about head gaskets. My girl friend calls it "sometimer's" geesh.

Damn Steve, disregarded my last post and read Cranky's.

I do like a light coat of "Copper coat on intake gaskets though...

 

[Cranky]

I have a lot of sometimers sometimes lol

 

[steve from staten island]

Does the valley pan mate right up with the head and intake ? do i need to use paper gaskets on both sides of the valley pan?????