Has anyone actually reused their MLS head gaskets? I've had lots of people say that you can but I'm looking for some real world experience. Thanks! Kevin

you can but I don't or wouldn't, the potential down side far exceeds the upside of saving $150

Cometics....I have reused

Heads were off 2 times early in the life of my 565 and I reused the gaskets.

If they are in good shape I cleaned them and sprayed with copper coat and had zero problems......Dart block, Brodix heads...

My heads have been off 5-6 times since new and I've never resurfaced them....

Been using Cometics and yes I have replaced the gaskets since then but did use them over as I said at one time ....

Cometic also makes the best intake gaskets that are basically bulletproof...and in various thickness sizes

Both my engines are built with Cometic head gaskets

quote:

Originally posted by SCDIV1:
Cometics....I have reused

Heads were off 2 times early in the life of my 565 and I reused the gaskets.

If they are in good shape I cleaned them and sprayed with copper coat and had zero problems......Dart block, Brodix heads...

My heads have been off 5-6 times since new and I've never resurfaced them....

Been using Cometics and yes I have replaced the gaskets since then but did use them over as I said at one time ....

Cometic also makes the best intake gaskets that are basically bulletproof...and in various thickness sizes

This has been my experience as well. Throwing out $200 of gaskets is one thing. But the other is the lead time and lack of stock for the Cometics I use is kinda crazy. 20 psi hasn't revealed a leak yet.

When you use the copper coat are you just spraying the top and bottom sides or in between the layers as well?

never have to worry about lead time and stock, I keep spares in the trailer of all my gaskets as well valve train parts, carbs, torque converters, fuel pump, master cylinders, brake pad/rotors/calipers, wheel studs, Morse cables, water pump, fans, hoses, fittings, ignition parts, batteries, delay box, switch panel, filters/fluids/oils, yada, yada, yada and if I need something I don't have, most everything is available overnight delivered to the track.

That's what you need to have at a minimum when you're competing for the divisional and world championship and not just racing for fun at your local track.

quote:

Originally posted by 1320racer:
That's what you need to have at a minimum when you're competing for the divisional and world championship and not just racing for fun at your local track.

You can list all the spares you want to stroke your ego but the truth and the facts are none of the parts will help the rods kicked out of the pan in your Firebird. If you’re competing at the level you think you are you should have a spare engine.


To the OP, I have 3 engines with Cometics and I reuse them.

reused both brands of miltilayerd gaskets many times ,copper coat both sides.if copper coated in the beginning the coating on the gasket doesnt stick and come off when the gasket is removed.those gaskets remind me of the old steel shim gaskets chevrolet had.

jamie you continue to add nothing to these threads, only comments to my posts. You're a hater and just jealous so why go out of your way to say hello to me at Lebanon? My advice to you is don't concern yourself with what I advise here. Focus on you and your program which clearly needs help. Meanwhile, Keep dreaming, work harder and maybe one day your life will be full of WIN as mine is and you can get past the 2nd round at the LODRS at Lebanon.

FYI, that engine was brand new this season. No one expects a premium connecting rod to split vertically at the threads for the cap/rod bolt after 52 passes. FYI 2..The spare engine is being built now.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: 1320racer,

quote:

Originally posted by Undertaker II:
When you use the copper coat are you just spraying the top and bottom sides or in between the layers as well?

Wipe them clean with something like brakekleen that leaves no residue...

Spray both sides with Copper Coat and hang them up to get somewhat dry.....then use em.
Don't try taking them apart...

It's an old habit that goes back many years and I've even sprayed FelPro Blue gaskets....They leak water sometimes....seen it...

We used silver header paint on steel shim gaskets 50 years ago.....Just an old habit.

I do not spray NEW Cometics and they don't leak....Maybe next time, if there ever is a next time I'll spray new gaskets with CC....

quote:

Originally posted by 1320racer:


That's what you need to have at a minimum when you're competing for the divisional and world championship and not just racing for fun at your local track.

I used to carry a nut driver to drain the bowl, and we raced every Friday night with the guy who won the 2019 NHRA world championship, in the class ya'll race.

We raced every friday night 7-8 rounds 41 times a year, I never even brought a screwdriver. Never needed one either.

Why do you think you need all those parts? Just makes the load heavier, pulling it to the track.

As far as reusing cometic head gaskets, sure why not? We've done it numerous times.

of course it must be true, because you said so on an internet message board. everything with you is past tense and unverifiable claims. What's his name and what year did he win the world in SC?

Kurt Damron...be my guess...

quote:

Originally posted by 1320racer:
of course it must be true, because you said so on an internet message board. everything with you is past tense and unverifiable claims. What's his name and what year did he win the world in SC?

Ray Ray grew up at Sunshine dork LoL!

I never even carried a screwdriver to the track. You don't need none of that chit if the car is prepped properly.

We race with the Millers, good people, have pitted next to them, my next car maybe built by them and they have more spares than me. Oh and ray ray just won the world last year after trying for over a decade. I'll be sure to ask ray ray what he thinks of you. I'm sure I won't be surprised by his answer.

Just went through this as some here know. I have in the past used them a second time. This time we fired the motor for 6 min break in.. Saw I had a problem and pulled the motor. Repaired issue. With rivets removed and bolts installed I took apart the gaskets to clean them. While cleaning I cut my fingers on the first one??? Closer inspection showed cracks on three left side and one right -raised circumference. First time I have ever seen this. I have used Hylomar spray and also copper coat thin on both sides. Like I said cometic first time I’ve ever seen this. Just received gaskets yesterday.

send your engine to any of the nationally known engine builders for a freshen and tell them you want to reuse your MLS gaskets. and see what they say.

quote:

Originally posted by 1320racer:
We race with the Millers, good people, have pitted next to them, my next car maybe built by them and they have more spares than me. Oh and ray ray just won the world last year after trying for over a decade. I'll be sure to ask ray ray what he thinks of you. I'm sure I won't be surprised by his answer.

You do that, he'll look at you like you're retarded.

to describe you