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Do I need a new head gasket?

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70herald

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Hi all
Last month, while trying to get my engine all back together, I discovered that the head bolts I had ordered were defective, and by the time I was done the studs were also mucked up. however the head is basically tightened all the way down, I just don't really trust it to stay that way for long.

I just got my nice new set of ARP head studs, and have to say that they are the closest a set of studs/washers and nuts can come to being a work of art! Now when I release the head, am I going to have to (should I) replace the head gasket also? The gasket clearly has been compressed, but the engine has never been started. I should be able to take out the studs one at a time, so there shouldn't be any real likelihood of the gasket moving around. I do have an extra head gasket, but it seems like kind of a waste if the new gasket on the engine will seal / stay sealed.
Yisrael
 
IMO, if you do one stud at a time, the old gasket should be fine. Most likely would be fine anyway, but doing one stud at a time is extra insurance.
 
When you re-torque the bolts you slacken them anyway so changing the studs shouldn't have any adverse effect especially one by one is extra insurance as TR3driver states. after you have replaced them all, one by one, back them off 90 degrees and straight down to final torque then retorque as recommended after the engine has run
 
For 20 bucks, why bother? Plus, did you use any sealant around the water jackets? I vote for cleaning the old (new) gasket off and start afresh. There are way too many steps involved in changing a head gasket on a running car to save 20 dollars. That's three lattes at Starbucks. Or maybe two in Israel.
 
I.M.H.O. the price of a new gasket isn`t worth the risk. IF it doesn`t seal, Just the labor involved to replace the head gasket is enough for me to say no to using the old one again.
Then there is the risk of having it fail somewhere out in the boonies and either leaving you stranded or ruining your engine or both. ALL in ALL were it me, I would replace it.
 
Maybe you should have put one of those 'poll' thingies on this post so we could vote.

I really doubt what you have in mind will disturb the gasket, cause it to fail or hasten its failure.

Guess you have to way the cost & your time for what is best.

I actually carry a spare head gasket on long road trips... not sure whether that makes me an optimist or a pessimist.
 
I wouldn't hesitate to reuse the old one. The engine has never been fired, and the head hasn't even been properly torqued down yet.
Jeff
 
I respect Jeff's opinion a great deal.





<span style='font-size: 8pt'>change the gasket</span>
 
Geo Hahn said:
Maybe you should have put one of those 'poll' thingies on this post so we could vote.

I really doubt what you have in mind will disturb the gasket, cause it to fail or hasten its failure.

Guess you have to way the cost & your time for what is best.
Click to expand...

A poll hmmm, not a bad idea, it seems like the new gasket idea wins. Seeing how I have a new gasket in the parts box, I think I will swap it.
 
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