Installed head after rebuilt, missed to set 1 pushrod and bent it, removed head to replace.

Can I reuse the already torqued once new head gasket or do I have to get another new one ? It will save me $ 100.00

 

I have seen head gaskets torques twice before , but i don't know if i would try it myself , especially on a bombed CTD ( i assume this is on your 99). You could try not replacing it , but if it blows a week from now , you have to take it all apart again , just because you wanted to save 100$.

 

Ok, you convinced me, it's on my '97 not bombed yet.

I'll call order in.....

 

Can't you set the pushrods with the head in?

 

Yes you can, and you have to, it's just the rear 2 cylinders are a "witch" to get to it, there are 2 plugs un firewall cowl, right above the head, they have to be removed then feed rods and bolts (long ones) through them.

I didn't pay attention at I rod on # 6 and didn't seat it into lifter correctly, I bent it when I torqued head......rod is $ 11.00, head gasket $ 100.00, the pain of removing everything again.....priceless !!!!!!

 

Why do you have to remove the head again just for the bent pushrod. If you take the hood off and the wiper transmission out I think you can look right down through those holes with a flashlight and see if its in the lifter cup.

 

I had to remove it because it got bent, and didn't want to come out by itself since it was jammed into block. I had to remove head to get it out, thus the question if gasket is reusable.

 

If it were mine I would reuse it if you didnt nick it up or damage it at all I would torque it back down.

 

That's probably what I am going to do, I cannot find anybody with it in stock, closest delivery day is tuesday, and I need hood to be closed tomorrow, I guess it will get put together as is and hope for good, I'll let you know in a short time, or in few months, or never if it had a probem.

Let's do some betting.....

Who says it blows:

1-Right away
2-After 1 day
3-After 1 week
4-After 1 month
5- After 1 year
6- Never.....

 

good luck I think if you were carefull putting it on and taking it off then putting it back on you should be ok. anyways good luck with it

 

just a thought...might be an idea to run a fine bead of silicon sealer round the oil/water holes on gasket before fitting up.....a precaution.!!...

 

6- Never.....

 

yep 6,I dont think I would mess with any silicone on there its got a coating on there already

 

As long as the gasket was not bent or nicked I would bet #6 never have a problem. But I would not use any sealer on it as mentioned before.

 

While i wouldn't go for #6 , cause with enough bombs any HG could blow , i think it may last a good while , but it also may not. I had to re-use the head gaskets in my snowmobile before , and they sealed ok , but they weren't holding alot of boost.