Header gasket, re-use it or lose it?

[gruvmstr206]

I got headers and i am thinking of using the old gasket. It looks like its in pretty good shape. Thoughts??

Thanks.

[1988starter]

naw just spend the couple bucks to get new ones

[zero.counter]

I would suggest that you never re-use gaskets for many reasons. They are cheaper than downtime...

[HondaBoy]

my friend with his blazer kept reusing old header gaskets and they would always blow out. with his new body and new engine stuff he got he got new headers. finally he put new header gaskets on. hopefully they will last. also, he didnt listen to me and start tightening the bolts from the middle out. that is also important. i say you get new gaskets! by the way, what header did you get? say header not headers, there's just one on inline engines. just had to be a turd.

[gruvmstr206]

Screw from the inside out.... interesting. I got a OBX header. i got a 4th gen accord, but all other 4th gen boards suck. 3geez seems to be the best honda board out here....

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&category=33631&item=2465574238&sspagename=STRK%3AMEBWN%3AIT

[smufguy]

a felpro gasket for an exhaust manifold is like 6 bux i guess. So yeah, it does not hurt you and they are available at pepboys, autozone, advance auto and strauts or any auto retail store. Did'nt ur header come with one? my DC did!! :dunno:

[AccordEpicenter]

if its in really good shape you could probably use it but no guarantees

[smufguy]

if its in really good shape you could probably use it but no guarantees

rule of thumb, no matter how good a gasket looks, never reuse it period. This is because once you clamp something onto the gasket, it cant be reused cause they dont seal up good. it might not leak or do anything, but its not advised, you can do it, but ur just taking a chance. besides, the gaskets are not that expensive anyway. so why not get new ones right? :) :cool2:

[2ndgenludedude1986]

loose it! get a new fel-pro head gasget.

[Xulfiqar]

Well

This may sound strange - but I have re-used exhaust manifold gaskets that were even - not busted. (only for cars with hard to find parts here)

Just give it a nice dust & rub with some graphite powder. It gives a good soft surface to clamp on. The never went down on me. But hey - if you can get new ones easily then go for it.

[Silver86LX]

I'd say be better safe than sorry and get a new gasket.

[Neuspeed87lx]

come on ! lol gaskets arent expensive .... just spend the extra now and do it right the first time !

[HondaBoy]

yeah, like i said replace it. i'd never heard about rubbing some graphite stuff on there. that may be useful in the future if i have problems getting a gasket. and i know its corrrect procedure to bolt from center outward. same with the cylinder head in some cases. some will say do it in a certain pattern, but even then it looks like you go from center out. well, tell us what you're doing.