Has anybody reused a cometic headgasket? If so, how many times can they be reused? I had my head ported and polished last Easter and the mechanic reused it. He said he always reuses them on Hondas, but obviously this is not a Honda motor. The only reason Im asking is because Im putting new rings in (godamn Total Seal rings)and I need to know if I should get another headgasket. I would love reuse it, its the best HG Ive ever used. Thanx

i wouldnt just to be on the safe side.... i know itd be great to keep useing it... saves lots o $... but i know personally that'd id hate to get everything back together and that nasty milky oil again...(worst felling in the world)
* been there done that

jake

AEM cam Gears,MSD ignition,Chikira 4-2-1 header,Custom 2.5" exhast,Pacsetter hiflo cat ,head p/p , intake p/p 2mm oversize tit valves , t/b p/p , shiftkit , TQ lockup mod , and much mor

Well i have only used cometic HG on my harley but correct me if i am wrong....cometic HG are composite correct? I would never re-use one more than once......i really wouldnt re-use one at all. Besides if it fails you could do a lot of potential damage especially if you are turboed.

Terry

96 Eagle talon ESI
Star Stage II - Boost/oil/EGT gauges

97 Eclipse
Greddy header/evo exhaust - Stage 2 6 puck Sprung hub MIBA clutch - Shortened shifter - Koni Yellows w/eibach prokit - Stillen Fr/Rr swaybars - ceramic intake - DEI Keyless entry alarm - Niche 17" Shoks

Waiting to be installed: Apexi AFC, HKS EVC IV, ceramic intake, 450 Turbo injectors, SFMU/return line, GSX Front brakes (need rotors)

Anything as cheap as a gasket that takes THAT much trouble to get to should NEVER be reused. A few dollars more for a new gasket can potentially save you hours of wrenching and days of downtime.

The OEM MLS headgasket is the best that'll ever be made. BAR NONE! Don't use anything else.

um sorry there sparkplug but copper has superior sealing capabilities..and last i checked copper sealing have been the superior used gasket for all high hp forced induction motors.....

Terry

96 Eagle talon ESI
Star Stage II - Boost/oil/EGT gauges

97 Eclipse
Greddy header/evo exhaust - Stage 2 6 puck Sprung hub MIBA clutch - Shortened shifter - Koni Yellows w/eibach prokit - Stillen Fr/Rr swaybars - ceramic intake - DEI Keyless entry alarm - Niche 17" Shoks

Waiting to be installed: Apexi AFC, HKS EVC IV, ceramic intake, 450 Turbo injectors, SFMU/return line, GSX Front brakes (need rotors)

VERY TRU....... BUT WITH THE COPPER YOU HAVE TO HAVE QUITE A BIT OF MACHINE WORK DONE... IE: RINGING THE HEAD & BLOCK NOT TO MENTION TAKING .0040 OFF THE HEAD
HE SAYING THAT THE MLS IS BEST FOR THE $...

JAKE

The ATX God! *LOL*

you do jnot have to ring the block....that is a misconception. tru your block must have a good surface but having it machined just because you have a copper gasket is not reqd unless your warped. I have installed copper gaskets in a friends GNX becaue he kept blowing the HG due to pressure...after the copper all was quiet and ass planting fun.

Yes i agree MLS is best for money but if i could get a copper without ordering it i would go that route. I hate to wait for ordered parts when i know i can just go buy it.....besides i get the MLs at resale cost.


Terry

96 Eagle talon ESI
Star Stage II - Boost/oil/EGT gauges

97 Eclipse
Greddy header/evo exhaust - Stage 2 6 puck Sprung hub MIBA clutch - Shortened shifter - Koni Yellows w/eibach prokit - Stillen Fr/Rr swaybars - ceramic intake - DEI Keyless entry alarm - Niche 17" Shoks

Waiting to be installed: Apexi AFC, HKS EVC IV, ceramic intake, 450 Turbo injectors, SFMU/return line, GSX Front brakes (need rotors)

i'm using the srt-4 headgasket on my motor wouldnt that be better then the factory 2gnt sence the srt4 is factory turbo u would think it could hold some high boost.

^^Work in progress pic
www.fastfabrications.com

meh, oem mls is my choice. i stick around 300+whp out of mine, and its a reused hg. it was anly about 2k miles used. but still. holds great.

Thanx guys. I think stock MLS is the way to go then. I really appreciate the help!!!:thumbsup

Yeah, and never, ever, ever reuse a head gasket.

Jon

1997 Eclipse RS

12.671 @ 111.660 1.586 60' 5/28/04

www.haiokuracing.com

What's a ballpark price for the MLS gasket?

40.00 or 45.00 maybe...napa has them to my knowledge.

Terry

96 Eagle talon ESI
Star Stage II - Boost/oil/EGT gauges

97 Eclipse
Greddy header/evo exhaust - Stage 2 6 puck Sprung hub MIBA clutch - Shortened shifter - Koni Yellows w/eibach prokit - Stillen Fr/Rr swaybars - ceramic intake - DEI Keyless entry alarm - Niche 17" Shoks

Waiting to be installed: Apexi AFC, HKS EVC IV, ceramic intake, 450 Turbo injectors, SFMU/return line, GSX Front brakes (need rotors)

Originally posted by 2g99RSNC
i'm using the srt-4 headgasket on my motor wouldnt that be better then the factory 2gnt sence the srt4 is factory turbo u would think it could hold some high boost. ^^Work in progress pic www.fastfabrications.com

The SRT-4 headgasket is the same construction as ours, and it has extra oil passages, etc. Buy the headgakset made for us.



Exile Racing Technologies: http://www.exileracing.com
una salus victus

Originally posted by Star Turbo Talon
um sorry there sparkplug but copper has superior sealing capabilities..and last i checked copper sealing have been the superior used gasket for all high hp forced induction motors..... Terry 96 Eagle talon ESI Star Stage II - Boost/oil/EGT gauges 97 Eclipse Greddy header/evo exhaust - Stage 2 6 puck Sprung hub MIBA clutch - Shortened shifter - Koni Yellows w/eibach prokit - Stillen Fr/Rr swaybars - ceramic intake - DEI Keyless entry alarm - Niche 17" Shoks Waiting to be installed: Apexi AFC, HKS EVC IV, ceramic intake, 450 Turbo injectors, SFMU/return line, GSX Front brakes (need rotors)

Copper is more durable, and has good heat properties. But I would not say better sealing capabilities. I tried a copper gasket and the coolant started boiling over once the car heated up. The head was straight and true. But the deck was not touched. The deck has still not been touched and seals fine with the MLS gasket. And the MLS is touch metal also, so it's not like comparing the copper gasket to a composite counterpart.

For a street application I wouldn't recommend anything but the MLS. The only advantage is you can get a gasket made to whatever thickness you want. I would never install one without having the engine out and everything machined, and definately use head studs.

Read the installation procedure and post installation tips from Gasketworks, a manufacturer of copper headgaskets. Even they talk about leaks and ways to stop them.
http://headgasket.com/preinstall.html



Exile Racing Technologies: http://www.exileracing.com
una salus victus

Originally posted by Michael_97RS

Originally posted by Star Turbo Talon um sorry there sparkplug but copper has superior sealing capabilities..and last i checked copper sealing have been the superior used gasket for all high hp forced induction motors..... Terry 96 Eagle talon ESI Star Stage II - Boost/oil/EGT gauges 97 Eclipse Greddy header/evo exhaust - Stage 2 6 puck Sprung hub MIBA clutch - Shortened shifter - Koni Yellows w/eibach prokit - Stillen Fr/Rr swaybars - ceramic intake - DEI Keyless entry alarm - Niche 17" Shoks Waiting to be installed: Apexi AFC, HKS EVC IV, ceramic intake, 450 Turbo injectors, SFMU/return line, GSX Front brakes (need rotors)

Copper is more durable, and has good heat properties. But I would not say better sealing capabilities. I tried a copper gasket and the coolant started boiling over once the car heated up. The head was straight and true. But the deck was not touched. The deck has still not been touched and seals fine with the MLS gasket. And the MLS is touch metal also, so it's not like comparing the copper gasket to a composite counterpart. For a street application I wouldn't recommend anything but the MLS. The only advantage is you can get a gasket made to whatever thickness you want. I would never install one without having the engine out and everything machined, and definately use head studs. Read the installation procedure and post installation tips from Gasketworks, a manufacturer of copper headgaskets. Even they talk about leaks and ways to stop them. http://headgasket.com/preinstall.html Exile Racing Technologies: http://www.exileracing.com una salus victus

good info thanks...will save the link for future.

Terry


96 Eagle talon ESI
Star Stage II - Boost/oil/EGT gauges

97 Eclipse
Greddy header/evo exhaust - Stage 2 6 puck Sprung hub MIBA clutch - Shortened shifter - Koni Yellows w/eibach prokit - Stillen Fr/Rr swaybars - ceramic intake - DEI Keyless entry alarm - Niche 17" Shoks

Waiting to be installed: Apexi AFC, HKS EVC IV, ceramic intake, 450 Turbo injectors, SFMU/return line, GSX Front brakes (need rotors)