Re-using a MLS head gasket

[rustybronco]

As the new head gasket didn't survive being removed from Flyboys GK and there isn't any money in the budget to purchase a new one, we've decided to give renewing the original 60K+ mile MLS head gasket a try.

Items required...

One used red Scotch-brite scuff pad.
Permatex copper head gasket spray. ($8.47)
Elbow grease.

Completely remove the old silver sealant from the gasket and inspect the surfaces for damage. If none found note which side was originally up, shake can of gasket sealant throughly and spray four to five coats of sealant on both sides of the gasket-waiting a minute or two between coats. Clean the block and head surfaces properly, again noting which side is up, install gasket and torque head retaining nuts.

Pray.

I will be adding an additional few Ft-Lbs of torque to the head nuts (not the two small bolts) to help it seal.


If it leaks oil, nothing is lost but time.

[terrylee]

Was thinking of reusing mine. Just did top end rebuild this winter and all went well except base gasket which I got off of ebay which was suppose to be oem. It has a small oil leak on one side. Retorqued two times to no avail. Really don't want to spend another $85. on new gasket just replace base gasket. terrylee

[rustybronco]

Terry, if the head gasket was a composition type and the engine has been ran for a while, more likely that not, it wouldn't have survived in order to be reused. The one I originally installed did not and it was in an engine that had never been fired up. With a MLS (multi layer steel) gasket you might have a chance at reusing it but you won't know until you pull it apart.

Did you try cranking up the head bolt torque yet, or did you stay with the stock values? You can try cranking up the poundage a few and see if that will help stop the leak.

Did you replace the oring's when you put it back together?

[Flyboy]

Jeeez Doc, that gasket looks better than the paint I put on tins.
Just can't help yourself, can you.

[rapidray]

A lot of people like copper coat but I have had ZERO failures using Gasgacinch. Clean the gasket as described above & 2 coats on each side of the gasket, block deck & head surface. Allow to dry between coats. You will destroy the gasket removing it the next time but it seals that well!
Ray.

[blowerbike]

on factory layered gaskets as such i have had 100% satisfaction using silver spray paint.
these was on 1150's and worked out great!

[tkent02]

Do they ever come apart again?

[blowerbike]

i have only done this once per bike as in reused the head gasket on 2 different 1150's.
seems the paint i used was silver high temp paint.
i cleaned the gasket with carb cleaner...blew dry and then paint 2 or 3 coats and let dry.

[rustybronco]

Do they ever come apart again?

l suspect it will be difficult to get it apart again.


Stan, there's only one way to do things.

[Flyboy]

Dat's why you da crew chief, Doc.

[stetracer]

A lot of people like copper coat but I have had ZERO failures using Gasgacinch. Clean the gasket as described above & 2 coats on each side of the gasket, block deck & head surface. Allow to dry between coats. You will destroy the gasket removing it the next time but it seals that well!
Ray.

I am another fan of Gasgacinch works great on MLS and copper head gaskets and I pretty sure it is recommended to use by Cometic by name.



.

[wymple]

No love for Aviation gasket sealer? Liberally applied has always been good to me.

[GSX1000E]

They are virtually the same thing.

[Grimly]

I've re-used head gaskets a couple of times on crap old bangers that were being got rid off, so don't know how well they lasted in service. I sprayed the gaskets with a couple of light coats of aerosol Hylomar, let dry, then fitted.
This was a technique I picked up from Hyster - who had a factory recommendation to do this on new gaskets when rebuilding a top end, so every engineer did this. It surprised me, because until then I'd never tried it and always went for a new gasket with a dry fit, or as recommended by the gasket maker.
The Hylomar spray coating was a get-around for Hyster's problematic head design, in that cooling and oil passages tended to leak a bit in service and this certainly cured it.
Since then, I've kept used GS head gaskets, especially ones with relatively low miles; in the event of needing one and none being available, there's always the Hylomar / silver paint / copper coat trick.

[tkent02]

You guys just saved me about $60 on my 450 project. It came with a used head gasket. :-)