Using new/old head gasket again..

kokkolanpoika · Post by **kokkolanpoika** » Sun Jul 15, 2012 5:00 pm

Hi.

Just curious, what do you think. I just fit my friend Merlin heads on his 4.6litre engine.
Adjust lifter preload and then i notice again that Merlins are totally cheap crap.. Couple of valves are approx 1mm lover in the same head.. So our adjustable pushrod lenght difference is huge and piston/valve clearance in couple of cylinder is 1.3mm vs 6x 2.3-2.5mm..

So can i re use new Elring composite head gasket and tighten bolts same torque settings or is it better to buy new gasket? Engine is my garage still without inlet manifold etc..

conrod · Post by **conrod** » Sun Jul 15, 2012 8:33 pm

I have a BMW E30 M3 with S14, and uses Elring head gaskets. If you have not started engine and run through heat cycle, you can quite happily reuse head gaskets. (I have done this without problems) A guy I know even reuses OLD Elring head gaskets, many times without problems! (but do so at your own risk of course!!)