jeffer949 Posted January 28, 2008 Share Posted January 28, 2008 ok so i was giving a used hks(i believe) 2mm metal head gasket today(thanks rick!!!!) and well its been used and then was sitting in a box for a while and it needs to be cleaned up. i was thinking of soaking in some acetone or some MEK to dissolve the old copper coat and what not. but then i started to wonder if i could drill out the brass rivets and then clean all the layers and then after they are clean rivet it back together? just wondering if this would be ok or if i should just soak it in something and clean it that way?? well thanks in advance. Jeff Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cockerstar Posted January 28, 2008 Share Posted January 28, 2008 is reusing a head gasket legit? like, is it perfectly fine for the engine? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CamH Posted January 28, 2008 Share Posted January 28, 2008 is reusing a head gasket legit?like, is it perfectly fine for the engine? Only if it is a metal head gasket and it is in good shape. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeffer949 Posted January 28, 2008 Author Share Posted January 28, 2008 ya mine is im good shape its just really dirty!!!!!!! lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
z-ya Posted January 28, 2008 Share Posted January 28, 2008 Clean it with a good solvent that doesn't leave any residue, and then blow dry with compressed air. Spray a 2-3 coats of copper gasket spray, and you should be good to go. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dayz Posted January 28, 2008 Share Posted January 28, 2008 The answer is yes, you can drill out the rivets separating the numerous gaskets depending of the thickness. You have dowel pins, don't you? I remember a post by GrumpyVette explaining proper steps in installing MHG. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeffer949 Posted January 28, 2008 Author Share Posted January 28, 2008 alright thats what i thought i just wanted to make sure before i took it apart thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JMortensen Posted January 28, 2008 Share Posted January 28, 2008 I wouldn't take it apart just to clean it. It's unlikely it's dirty in between layers, don't you think? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeffer949 Posted January 28, 2008 Author Share Posted January 28, 2008 it was in an dusty box and id just like to make sure Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
z-ya Posted January 28, 2008 Share Posted January 28, 2008 You still don't need to take it apart. Just clean it with solvent and blow with compressed air. If you drill out the rivets, you will need to replace them. Not sure what the rivet size is, but if you try to install the gasket without rivets holding the layers together, the layers are bound to shift when you try and torque it. The uncompressed 2mm gasket is about the same height at the head locator dowels, so it is a little tricky even with the rivets in place. Just another note: are you running crazy amounts of boost where you need a metal gasket? Are you 100% sure about your tune where you will not have any detonation? Stock head gaskets can easily handle 15psi, and act as a nice safety fuse if you detonate. I would rather swap a gasket, than a crank, rods and pistons if my tune is on the edge or I get some bad gas. Just an FYI.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
big-phil Posted January 28, 2008 Share Posted January 28, 2008 Yeah, don't take it appart. Just clean it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clifton Posted January 28, 2008 Share Posted January 28, 2008 I have taken them apart to use different thickness steel inners but I wouldn't take it apart to clean it. As other said above, just use some copper coat. If you do pull it apart you don't need to rivet them back together. Atleast I didn't and it's been beast on hard with 30+psi and no problems. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeffer949 Posted January 28, 2008 Author Share Posted January 28, 2008 im running 12-13psi right now and ill be upping it soon once i get some bigger injectors. then bigger turbo and bigger intercooler... guess im fallowing the big-phil recipe and my tune is decent and getting better all the time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SLVRBLLT40 Posted January 29, 2008 Share Posted January 29, 2008 Lordy, you guys are brave. I'd never be able to bring myself to use a head gasket that's already been ran. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JMortensen Posted January 29, 2008 Share Posted January 29, 2008 If you do pull it apart you don't need to rivet them back together. Atleast I didn't and it's been beast on hard with 30+psi and no problems. That's what I would expect too, so long as the dowels are still there to locate everything. You'd want to copper coat each piece so you don't get leaks between, but still as everyone seems to agree, pulling it apart to clean in between the layers is probably a waste of effort. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
z-ya Posted January 29, 2008 Share Posted January 29, 2008 Lordy, you guys are brave. I'd never be able to bring myself to use a head gasket that's already been ran. At $150-$200 each you would. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
big-phil Posted January 29, 2008 Share Posted January 29, 2008 At $150-$200 each you would. its made to be reused. Hell I reused mine about 4 times in a week playing with my cam on my other head. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
speeder Posted January 30, 2008 Share Posted January 30, 2008 The head gasket in question was on an engine that had a warped head on it - and looks as if there is carbon-y black stuff in between the layers. That stuff is not just dust. It could just be the remains of the rubbery coating that HKS gaskets come with. It really does look like it needs cleaning. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dapiper Posted February 3, 2008 Share Posted February 3, 2008 Is HKS MLS head gskt still available? Where is best deal, preferably 1mm. Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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