Did some searching and the consensus was to use a new head gasket on a motor that has been run. How about a motor that was rebuilt (in 1990) and has never been run nor had any fluids through it? Getting ready to pull the stock head on this particular motor, pull the cam for one suitable for my application and replace the head with one that has been mildly ported, O/S valves, milled, etc. I do have a NOS gasket set with the thin steel head gasket if it matters.

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65 Dart station wagon slant 6 - now under construction
47 Dodge Custom 4 Door sedan
87 D100 Short Bed slant 6

Retired USAF 1966-1986
Retired US Postal Service 2004-2014

Once crushed its used.

I will be the contrarian and say that I have successfully re-used cylinder head gaskets numerous times. As long as the sealing surfaces are clean and the gasket surface is not damaged, I have had good luck getting used cylinder head gaskets to reseal on STOCK (no forced induction) motors.

Best practice is to ALWAYS use new gaskets, but sometimes that just isn't possible for various reasons.

Unless you are well and truly stuck in an emergency situation (engine MUST get put back together right now, new gasket CANNOT be had) then reusing a crushed gasket is a foolish gamble.

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一期一会
Too many people who were born on third base actually believe they've hit a triple.

I've done it several times, and it worked fine. However if someone else asked me for advice I'd tell them not to.

LOL it is easier to spend some one elses money, But that being said I concur. I HAVE done it several times with no ill effects but as a practice, no I dont LIKE to and would RATHER not, but sometimes....... ya do what ya hafta...

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MRO....

Cheap, Fast, Reliable.... Pick 2...

Has anyone reused their steel shim head gasket??

Rick

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2 Mopars come with Spark plug tubes. One is a world class, racing machine. The other is a 426 CI. boat anchor!

12.70 @ 104.6

The situation is definitely not an emergency and I do have a new steel shim gasket. I pulled the head this afternoon and it's one of those FelPro composition-type gaskets. No sealer was used on it and looks brand new. However, I'm gonna take no chances and will use the new steel gasket I have.

By the way Dan, this motor is getting the Lynx triple SU I bought from you quite awhile ago. I used your recommended SU guru (Rhys Kent - Island Automation) who rebuilt a set of HIF6s for me.

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65 Dart station wagon slant 6 - now under construction
47 Dodge Custom 4 Door sedan
87 D100 Short Bed slant 6

Retired USAF 1966-1986
Retired US Postal Service 2004-2014