41xf

I have currently got the head off my 250 xflow after changing out all the lifters and replacing a bent pushrod. The last time I had the head off was over Easter to replace the head gasket due to an oil leak.

I really don't want to have to spend $$ and get another head gasket especially since the one I have got looks fine. The blue sealant stuff is all intact on the gasket. Question is whether I can get away with reusing this gasket or whether I should order another gasket (and probably have to buy the whole head gasket set).

johnydep

You can buy just the head gasket.

I have heard of people re-using head gaskets, they spray sealant call Holymer onto it, don't know what the long term results were.

fordboy98

Guys, don't mess with an old head gasket - chuck it. For the few bucks a new one will cost it's worth it to NOT have trouble later.

The main reason not to reuse them is that when a gasket is torqued down it is partially crushed in the process. This is all in the grand plan as it allows the combustion chamber seals (the metal "rings" around the circumference of the com. chamber cutouts) to crush and provide a proper gas tight seal. Also, the beads of sealant (the blue or red tracks) are designed to spread and creep under the high pressure of the head being torqued down down. In doing that the sealant and the com. chamber seals take up all the little imperfections in the block and head faces to ensure the gasket does its job.

If you reuse a gasket you lose all these important features. If its been crushed down and if the engine has been run the tacky sealant would have partially melted too. This is all meant to happen. Coating it with Hylomar (great stuff!) will not restore the gasket suffiently to be used again - IMHO.

Get a new gasket!

INJECTED250

u can get a head gasket on its own for as little as 25 bucks.. they used to be 20...

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