I know that this is going to sound bad or ignorant but can i reuse head and intake gaskets? The head and intake gaskets are around a year old and fel pro brand, i know that they are all still good but will it hurt to reuse them, please keep in mind i have a very tight budget as in not enough for the gasket kit thanks guys.

 

Intake manifold gasket, yes. but it's only like $14 for a felpro set.
Heads, I dunno but I wouldn't.

To me, even if money is tight, the savings aren't worth the time and effort to change them if they fail.

 

What MikeGyver said.

They make some head gaskets that can be reused. I think they're made from copper, Summit Racing has them, but they're super expensive.

I would not even consider reusing either of your gaskets until you save up enough money to buy new ones. It's not worth the risk. Shop around online, you might be able to find a better deal than at the local chain stores.

I suppose if you've got a lot of extra time, you could try to reuse them and see what happens. Just be prepared to do the job all over again.

 

I would not reuse any gaskets.

 

i took the intake off today and the gaskets look almost new i would imagine that they will seal up fine, i did however order new head gaskets from summit thanks for the help guys

 

I pulled my intake manifold like 2 days ago, and the gasket loooked new also. It's a dry manifold and the gasket doesn't use sealant, so you can easily reuse it.

 

I second shoebox. I'd never reuse any gasket, despite it's condition. Especially as cheap as they are it really isn't worth the risk.

Head gaskets are a DEFINITE no-no!

 

No way on a head gasket. You MIGHT get away on the intake, but considering how cheap the gaskets are and the PITA it is to replace them I wouldn't even consider trying it.

Rich

 

Once the gaskets have gone through the heat cycle then that's it for them. Don't even think about reusing unless they were made to be reused such as the copper gaskets. If your on a budget then do it right the first time.

 

If you reuse the intakes, clean them and all the other surfaces and spray the gaskets with coppercoat and put them back in the exact same position they were in before facing the same direction, and they might not leak.

 

"Might not" being the key words. For all the work involved, it is just not worth the risk, IMHO.

 

Ok so how about head gasket that have not been through the heat cycle? I thought they actually crushed in certain areas, so you cant reuse them.

 

Well if he's got his heart set on using them over again, at least he's got a shot at doing it the best way possible. I've known guys who put a busted engine back together leaving out a broken piston and rod just to get the thing running again, although I don't recommend that either, LOL.