Reuse Cylinder Head Gasket

[TyBlast1123]

Hi im in the middle of rebuilding my engine and i was wondering if i can reuse the copper cylinder head gasket in my topend? its in good condition. i just ordered the rest of the parts and i want to be able to ride by this weekend but i dont want to half to order any other parts. thanks.

 

[cole454]

Here you go

 

[slickerthanyou]

Yip that's it anneal it and reuse as long as there are no cracks your good!

 

[super noober]

i would much rather see a new cometic est gasket in there than a reused one. i dunno... just cause u technically can do something dont mean you should. just my .02

 

[frantz65]

Hi im in the middle of rebuilding my engine and i was wondering if i can reuse the copper cylinder head gasket in my topend? its in good condition. i just ordered the rest of the parts and i want to be able to ride by this weekend but i dont want to half to order any other parts. thanks.

U can reuse but not recommended will just cause an air leek. Spend the 20$ on a kit and redo it the right way

 

[joeak47]

YES! you can re-condition a copper head gasket to like new status using the method above.

Always inspect first. If you are having "Air leaks",you have other problems,and its not the head gasket.

 

[Blaaster]

Yes it is possible to anneal and reuse a copper head gasket, but only do it if there is absolutely no way of procuring a new one.

It is very hard to get an even temperature with a small flame, and when cooling the hot spots will have a different mallualibility.

 

[89blaster89]

hell no will i ever reuse a head gasket, i anealed one just like in the video intalled it and torqued properly on my new reachambered head, it was flat. topend wouldint even hold 4 psi and the compression came out to like 115?? bought a brand new gasket and no airleaks and my compression came back up to 155!

 

[joeak47]

hell no will i ever reuse a head gasket, i anealed one just like in the video intalled it and torqued properly on my new reachambered head, it was flat. topend wouldint even hold 4 psi and the compression came out to like 115?? bought a brand new gasket and no airleaks and my compression came back up to 155!

What the does this mean???

Won't hold 4psi???

If a new gasket made a 40 PSI jump in compression
(which is absolutely HUGE),you either have issues with your sealing surfaces (both head and cylinder),or a bad compression gauge. simple as that.

QUOTE... "It is very hard to get an even temperature with a small flame, and when cooling the hot spots will have a different mallualibility."

I've never had an issue annealing a copper head gasket...ever! The gasket I'm running right now has been annealed well over 24 times with all the head testing I've done,and I've had ZERO issues.

The mapp gas torch has no problems heating the gasket evenly. I've even done it with a propane torch,but you must slow down a bit,so the copper can take in the heat.

Once again,to answer the question...
YES! You can anneal a copper gasket for re-use over and over and over again.
DO NOT USE any of that silicone sealer sh*t on the head gasket! It doesn't belong there.

 

[89blaster89]

What the does this mean???

Won't hold 4psi???

If a new gasket made a 40 PSI jump in compression
(which is absolutely HUGE),you either have issues with your sealing surfaces (both head and cylinder),or a bad compression gauge. simple as that.

QUOTE... "It is very hard to get an even temperature with a small flame, and when cooling the hot spots will have a different mallualibility."

I've never had an issue annealing a copper head gasket...ever! The gasket I'm running right now has been annealed well over 24 times with all the head testing I've done,and I've had ZERO issues.

The mapp gas torch has no problems heating the gasket evenly. I've even done it with a propane torch,but you must slow down a bit,so the copper can take in the heat.

Once again,to answer the question...
YES! You can anneal a copper gasket for re-use over and over and over again.
DO NOT USE any of that silicone sealer sh*t on the head gasket! It doesn't belong there.

when i tried to leak test it, it wouldint hold worth crap. im sure the gasket probally did have cracks and stuff but i was pissed so i just through it in the trash. i was going to go riding that day and it wouldint hold. i tried 2 different comp gauges, harbor frieght gauge and a made in the usa one my grandpa has had for many years. either way its just my preference to use new gaskets. anealing will work when done correctly its just not for me

 

[joeak47]

when i tried to leak test it, it wouldint hold worth crap. im sure the gasket probally did have cracks and stuff but i was pissed so i just through it in the trash. i was going to go riding that day and it wouldint hold. i tried 2 different comp gauges, harbor frieght gauge and a made in the usa one my grandpa has had for many years. either way its just my preference to use new gaskets. anealing will work when done correctly its just not for me

I'll bet that gasket had ZERO cracks.