head gaskets

[tcramer]

Hi guys,can you reuse the CE-type head gaskets after the heads have been torqued down and taken apart?Thanks,T.C.

[Eagledriver]

I have done this and had leaks afterward. Don't know for sure if it would have leaked anyway. They crush when you torque the heads so I would say they won't work as well if you re-use them.

-Andy

[Henry Schmidt]

Leaking heads are generally a function of poor quality head studs. The CE rings are design to prevent seepage on cool down.
With a stable head to cylinder foundation the CE rings have very little effect.

[tcramer]

Thank You,Henry and Andy

[Walt Fricke]

I've done this a time or two where, before starting up the engine, I had to take the heads back off. Got away with reusing the CE rings. Perhaps the fact that heat and expansion and so on hadn't gotten to them was part of my good luck.