Head Gasket: reuse or replace??

[Guest]

Putting the top-end of the blue bike's engine back together after having a valve job done. Installed the head and did a leak-down test to check the seal. To my surprise and disappointment #2 outboard exhaust valve was leaking. Removed the head, lapped the valve and reinstalled the head. Had to do this a total of two times as the first try didn't completely seal the leaking valve. So the head has been torqued a total of three times on the same head gasket. The engine hasn't been started yet, but I'm wondering if I should replace the head gasket because its been torqued three times. Thoughts and real life experiences on this one??

[hikermikem]

I would replace it, because if it leaks after you're back together you'll be wishin' you did.

Did you replace the base gasket too? It will leak if it's been even slightly disturbed...

[hampshirehog]

If you haven't started it there's a good chance you'll get away with it. Worth a go.

[7981GS]

Perhaps spraying some Copper Hi-tack on both sides of the gasket could help.

http://permatex.carshopinc.com/product_info.php/products_id/42287/80697

Eric

[kochic]

Old guys use silver high temp paint to seal a used gasket
permatex "spray a copper gasket" is very good.
marc

[chuck hahn]

I have never understood why anyone would tear down any engine...lawn mower, car, boat, snowmobile...whatever and not use all new gaskets. The friggin thing is ALREADY APART SO FIX THE FRIGGIN THING RIGHT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[tkent02]

Try it and see. NO heat cycles on it yet, so it may work. If it doesn't, you tear it down again, no big deal after three training runs.

[Sunburn]

Not the same, he has a new gasket, just torqued it down the noticed a problem and had to take off the head again. It's a good $100 question to ask. Can you use it even though you have not started it?

I have never understood why anyone would tear down any engine...lawn mower, car, boat, snowmobile...whatever and not use all new gaskets. The friggin thing is ALREADY APART SO FIX THE FRIGGIN THING RIGHT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[chuck hahn]

Yes it can be reused..BUT WHY????? Why try to reuse an already CRUSHED DOWN gasket and throw wrenches and curse for 3 hrs when its crap. That just doesnt add up to any kind of logical sense in my mind...sorry.

[rustybronco]

It removed and retorqued the head gasket on my 80 850 twice with no ill effects.

[chuck hahn]

Well maybe its just me, but theres no way in he!! Im gonna ever do all that work and throw in a used gasket in anything Glad it works for you though Dale..

[Tom R]

Three torque cycles is one more than I've ever done; but I have done two on my cb750 without any problems.

[rustybronco]

Chuck, it came off nice and clean, they aren't cheap, so back on it went and it worked just fine.

Was I lucky? maybe, maybe not. All I know is I had nothing to loose and it worked out just fine. Had it heat cycled and stuck to the cylinder and head, I would have found another one for it.

[GateKeeper]

I have a rubber one on mine, been on and off a few times, no issues that I can see...

.

[chuck hahn]

Roger that Dale. My thing is that if i am investing all the time and such to rebuild it or repair it, then im not gonna use used stuff. I know they arent cheap, but then again spare time is at a premium most days too..as you fully can conceptualise!!