I shouldn’t ask this but !

[andrew j cox]

anyone ever reused a head gasket? The gasket from my 115 is in good nick not having a replacement on headif I bomb the hell out of it with copper spray or hylomar dare I reuse it? Add a few extra pounds onto the bolts, good bad or indifferent?

 

[tpenfield]

Not recommended. I have done it on small engines, like lawn mowers and snowblowers.

If you are doing major work on an engine, the 'do-it-once' approach would be to have the proper materials on-hand.

 

[Scott Danforth]

head gaskets get crushed to seal. its a one-time use type thing.

 

[Redbarron%%]

I have reused my 90 hp gasket after coating it with Hylomar blue (Permatex 85249).
Since these gaskets are steel there is no crush.
The Hylomar will seal and will not set.
The gasket can be removed and replaced if necessary.
A thin coat on both sides is necessary. Clean the head and block and a thin coat there as well.Let it sit for 15 - 20 min before assembly.
Be sure the tighten in steps and allow a few minutes between for the gasket sealer to squeeze.
The Blue (Hylomar) spray is easier to apply evenly, but the tube will work, but your fingers get messier.
This stuff makes a mess and will not wash out of your tee shirt! and it stays sticky.
If you use a new gasket I still recommend using the stuff to seal the micro gaps always present.

Retorque the head bolts after running the first time.

I pulled the head on my 90 and ordered a new gasket and it is still sitting on the shelf waiting for a problem to develop.

 

[aspeck]

As seen above, it may work, but why would you risk it for the price of a headgasket? They are cheap compared the the price of a do-over.

 

[Redbarron%%]

As seen above, it may work, but why would you risk it for the price of a headgasket? They are cheap compared the the price of a do-over.

True enough, but if you are impatient then...
However on the sport jet I have it is easy enough to change the gasket.
I had just put a new gasket on and had the head surfaced and had to pull it again to inspect for a problem with water getting into the cylinders so I popped it off, inspected and replaced.
If you decide to try do not use copper gasketsealer as it is NOT happy with aluminum.

 

[jerryjerry05]

Yes you can.
I have use the black or blue sillycone and had good results.
If the metal ring in the gasket isn't compromised it should work.

Buy a replacement and keep it on board.

I think Andrew is in Australia and parts are way expensive and hard to get.

 

[andrew j cox]

Yes as Jerry says I’m in oz , couldn’t find a gasket locally, the fire rings are fine Jerry, it’s not that important I start the motor yet I just wanted to button her up to avoid rust in the bores etc I given them a light coat of oil I’ll just lift the cover now and again and check, I’ll get a gasket from Canada there postal charges are down to earth, get one from the USA I think they send over in its own chartered 747 lol, now we’re warming up here I can start my interior refit keep me busy for a long while, thanks guys.

 

[jerryjerry05]

Keep us posted.
Take lots of pics of the refit and post as you go along.
They have a boat restoration, building and hull repair forum for projects.

 

[Redbarron%%]

If I were you I would reuse the gasket with Hylomar and replace it if you have a problem.
If later you have a problem change it.
I have been running my second use 90 head gasket for close to a year and the replacement is still on the shelf.
If you were doing it for someone else then no I wouldn't reuse the gasket.
By the way I have switched to 100% Hylomar since the gaskets can be reused with few problems.
I think that if the motor is ready to run except for the head gasket you are more likely to have some other gremlin crawl into it while you are waiting on the gasket