Re-use of a Copper Headgasket

[HarryL]

I've been told that you can re-use these things(never have
used one in the past). You're suppose to heat them up with a torch beforehand.
Do you put them in place while still warm?
How much heat do you apply ? Enough to fry an egg?
Or do you cool them back down to normal temp. by using
a can of cheap beer, such as budweiser ?
Harry

 

[Andrew Mace]

Here's some information from Gasket Works that might prove useful.

 

[jdubois]

I've tried re-annealing small copper crush washers before... never had much luck. I think it's a bit more of an art that what that link above suggests.

 

[TR3driver]

OTOH I've had good luck just reusing without worrying about annealing (as Mordy's article suggests).

 

[HarryL]

Decided that it wasn't worth wasting a beer and burning my fingers
sooooooooo; it was only torqued to 90# before the deep threads broke from
the block. Reused it and torqued to 99.9# !!!!!!!!!!!!
Everything ok, thanks guys
Harry

 

[DNK]

What kind of beer?

 

[HarryL]

There's only a few !!
Pilsner Urquel, Moose Drool, & Shiner !

 

[jdubois]

Pilsner Urquel, Moose Drool, & Shiner !

Those aren't British! :wink: