MLS metal gasket

[elison]

Hi guys,

My buddy recently finished of his forged build. The car started perfectly. But was a bit smokey. When we checked out it was the exhaust valve seal from cylinder 1 not sealing as it should. We are having them replaced now but his question is if he can re-use the mls gasket since he paid a good $140 for it. The car has only been started once for about 15 to 20 minutes. Most people say if the gasket looks good its reusable with a bit of copper spray.

What do you guys think?
Anyone ever reused them with success?

 

[ben10]

Hi guys,

My buddy recently finished of his forged build. The car started perfectly. But was a bit smokey. When we checked out it was the exhaust valve seal from cylinder 1 not sealing as it should. We are having them replaced now but his question is if he can re-use the mls gasket since he paid a good $140 for it. The car has only been started once for about 15 to 20 minutes. Most people say if the gasket looks good its reusable with a bit of copper spray.

What do you guys think?
Anyone ever reused them with success?

when you look at the gasket does it have a small raised section around the cylinders and around the holes in the block for water and oil.. if so then no you cant reuse them as the gasket has already been compressed. being that its forged aswell is it worth the agro if something goes wrong and destroys then engine due to reusing a part ??

 

[GP82]

You can get to them without taking the head off, it is a mission and alot of patience :haha:

 

[weeJohn]

You can change the valve stem seals without taking the head off, do a search for it and a few threads will come up, including methods and tools for making it easier.

 

[Tim@TBDevelopments]

no you can't re-use the gasket.

you can do the stem seals but you need a special valve spring compressor to get them on and off, and do the old rope trick to hold the valves inplace when you compress the spring to stop the valve just going down.

Bit of a bodge but do it correctly and you'll be fine