The Ford Barn

corvette8n · 10-15-2021, 10:59 AM

I have a spare 40’s flathead I bought a few years ago, I want to mount it on an engine stand and run it, I pulled the one head off last year to check the cylinders, they look good, can I just reuse the gasket to test the motor?, do I need to coat it with anything? It has a graphite gasket on it now.

Jack E/NJ · 10-15-2021, 11:26 AM

If it's surfaces are still decent, I'd use wheel bearing grease if it was mine.

WABOOM · 10-15-2021, 12:00 PM

With a Graphtite that wasn't leaking I definitely slap it back on.

Mart · 10-15-2021, 12:01 PM

Give it a go. What's the worst that could happen?
I reuse copper gaskets. Not tried a graphite one, but would try it for a test run. It depends on how cleanly it came off, but if any remnants are on the head or block, leave them in place. Just my hunch.
Mart.

19Fordy · 10-15-2021, 01:39 PM

Here's some helpful info. about reusing copper gaskets.
https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showt...r+head+gaskets

Ronnieroadster · 10-16-2021, 02:16 PM

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If the gasket was copper you can reuse it many times over. If its one of them there composition type gaskets its going to be a gamble for sure if it will seal correctly.

10-15-2021, 10:59 AM	#1
corvette8n Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: 36 miles north of Albany NY Posts: 3,324	Head gasket reuse question I have a spare 40’s flathead I bought a few years ago, I want to mount it on an engine stand and run it, I pulled the one head off last year to check the cylinders, they look good, can I just reuse the gasket to test the motor?, do I need to coat it with anything? It has a graphite gasket on it now.

10-15-2021, 11:26 AM	#2
Jack E/NJ Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 2,272	Re: Head gasket reuse question If it's surfaces are still decent, I'd use wheel bearing grease if it was mine.

10-15-2021, 12:00 PM	#3
WABOOM Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2018 Location: Minnesota Posts: 350	Re: Head gasket reuse question With a Graphtite that wasn't leaking I definitely slap it back on.

10-15-2021, 12:01 PM	#4
Mart Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Solihull, England. Posts: 9,240	Re: Head gasket reuse question Give it a go. What's the worst that could happen? I reuse copper gaskets. Not tried a graphite one, but would try it for a test run. It depends on how cleanly it came off, but if any remnants are on the head or block, leave them in place. Just my hunch. Mart.

10-15-2021, 01:39 PM	#5
19Fordy Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Coral Springs FL Posts: 11,917	Re: Head gasket reuse question Here's some helpful info. about reusing copper gaskets. https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showt...r+head+gaskets

10-16-2021, 02:16 PM	#6
Ronnieroadster Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: East Coast in CT Posts: 1,778	Re: Head gasket reuse question Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) If the gasket was copper you can reuse it many times over. If its one of them there composition type gaskets its going to be a gamble for sure if it will seal correctly. __________________ I use the F word a lot no not that word these words Flathead, Focus and Finish "Life Member of the Bonneville 200 MPH Club using a Ford Flathead block First Ford Flathead bodied roadster to run 200 MPH Record July 13, 2018 LTA timing association 200.921 First Ford flathead roadster to run 200 MPH at Bonneville Salt Flats setting the record August 7th 2021 at 205.744 MPH reset the record in 2024 to 211.830 running to mile four. Top speed 2024 mile five 220.672 exit speed 221.587