Head Gasket ?

[motogo1]

I want to take a look at the piston and rings on my 09 TE310. Can I reuse the head gasket?

 

[OlderHuskyRider]

I've reused 3 ply copper head gaskets on my Harley several times, with no problems.

 

[Slowpoke]

The head gaskets have a crush ring in them & there is a very specific torque sequence & spec for the head studs. The gaskets are not designed to be reused.

(Edited - see post below)

 

[R_Little]

Just reused one on my Te250....put coppercoat spray on it.

 

[OlderHuskyRider]

Just reused one on my Te250....put coppercoat spray on it.

Permatex® Copper Spray-A-Gasket® Hi-Temp Adhesive Sealant
Fast-drying, metallic copper sealant helps dissipate heat, prevents gasket burnout and improves heat transfer. Fills minor surface irregularities. Seals instantly. Fills hot spots and surface imperfections. Temperature range -50°F to 500°F (-45°C to 260°C); resists all types of automotive fluids, especially gasoline. Level 3*
Suggested Applications: Cylinder head gaskets, carburetor gaskets, exhaust manifold gaskets and other high temperature applications

 

[motogo1]

Thanks guys. Now to see what the piston & rings look like after 6000 miles.

 

[OlderHuskyRider]

How many oil changes did you do? Synthetic? Gonna take some pics?

 

[motogo1]

Yes, Syn. About every thousand miles. Guys may think that is too long, but I change my 610 every 3000 and it has 19,000 miles on it and runs great. Husky recommends every 3000. I'll post the results of what I find.

 

[Slowpoke]

Just edited my first post- Damn, I hate it when I have keyboard dyslexia .. I had accidently posted that the gaskets are designed to be re-used. What I meant to say is that they are NOT designed to be reused. Reusing them will give you in-accurate torque readings on the main studs. Not worth trying to save to $25-30 by trying to reuse them.

 

[OlderHuskyRider]

I'll add some more info to me re-using the multi-layer metal head gaskets on my Harley:

"Haha, if the car was never overheated there should be no reason why the gasket will not seal again. I'd clean the head and block good and copper spray the gasket and as long as there is no visual problems w/ the gasket and the block or head isn't warped it will seal just fine. I reused my mitsu 4 ply gasket on my 93 4 times and never had any problems leaking. And this was on a 500+whp car."

"Most VTEC honda motors come w/ metal HG stock. I also run a D series civic and i've as well reused the metal HG on those as well w/ no problems of leakage whatsoever.
Don't trust me as a vendor, thats fine. Go out and spend $90 on another gasket when there is no need for it unless the current one has visual defects."

"SCE copper gaskets can be reused 4 to 5 times simply by cleaning in common solvent"

 

[motogo1]

If it was only $25 I'd probably replace it, but it's $100. That's why I asked. We'll see how it goes.

 

[MontyCarlo]

At $100 for the gasket I'd be tempted to reuse it as well. The copper spray is good advice. Slowpoke is right about the torque getting thrown off, and that is where you might run into trouble. Plus I think the head studs, and hence the torque values, on these jugs are considerably lighter than those examples OHR cited... It could be fine, but if something goes wrong, it could go horribly wrong I wouldn't chance it with an X-Lite motor, but on the older blocks ..


PS to OHR - you're a good guy I'd be glad to ride or wrench with any time, but your supporting examples are apples and oranges. Something that works fine for a VTEC or a Harley doesn't mean it's an acceptable procedure for a high-strung Husky motor.

 

[OlderHuskyRider]

Just reused one on my Te250....put coppercoat spray on it.

PS to OHR ......doesn't mean it's an acceptable procedure for a high-strung Husky motor.

So your PS applies to R_Little as well, correct? He is advancing the same info as I.

 

[Slowpoke]

If it was only $25 I'd probably replace it, but it's $100. That's why I asked. We'll see how it goes.

Are you in Connecticut? Who's charging $100?. I'm in Canada & I paid ~$40 CAD for my last one (from the local dealer) and our parts are more expensive than in the US......

OlderHuskyRider-

These aren't the same type of gaskets as what you're talking about. These are 'crush' gaskets. One time use only. Yes, I agree some multilayer copper gaskets etc. probably can be re-used. But that's not what these are. The torque specs are designed to 'crush' the molded crush ring in the gasket and effect a permanent seal. Once it's crushed it can't be re-crushed.
Sure, one or two guys might get lucky and happen to get just the right amount of torque on a re-used crush gasket. But what is that torque number & what are the right set of steps to get it? Get it wrong and you have a blown gasket 40 miles from nowhere & your buddy towing you home......

 

[MontyCarlo]

<-- the operative emoticon.

Could you reuse the head gasket and be OK?

Is it a good idea? I don't think so.

If you reuse the gasket, should you use copper spray? Absolutely.

Can you say that reusing the gasket is acceptable for a Harley, or a VTEC, therefore it is OK to do the same on a Husky? That is a logical fallacy known as the Non Sequitur, Latin for "doesn't follow"

 

[OlderHuskyRider]

OlderHuskyRider-

These aren't the same type of gaskets as what you're talking about. These are 'crush' gaskets. One time use only. Yes, I agree some multilayer copper gaskets etc. probably can be re-used. But that's not what these are. The torque specs are designed to 'crush' the molded crush ring in the gasket and effect a permanent seal. Once it's crushed it can't be re-crushed.
Sure, one or two guys might get lucky and happen to get just the right amount of torque on a re-used crush gasket. But what is that torque number & what are the right set of steps to get it? Get it wrong and you have a blown gasket 40 miles from nowhere & your buddy towing you home......

I have a new 1.2mm Husky head gasket here at the house as well as some different thickness Cometic gaskets I use in my HD, they are the same "crush" type gaskets as the Husky gasket, or I wouldn't have made the comparo. ((HD also says to use new head bolts upon re-installation....I never have done that either.)) The bike has 70,000 miles on it with no head bolt or gasket problems. For torque numbers, I use the same number with the 90 degree turn at the end, here's the numbers on both bikes:

HD head bolts = 45 lbs torque plus 90 degree turn
Husky head bolt torque = 27.5 lbs torque plus 90 degrees turn

To avoid any confusion or misperceptions about what I have said on this subject, please use this quote as to what I have essentially said:

"When I pull the head on my Husky to check the rings, I will re-use the old head gasket since I have previous successful experience with similar head gasket re-use on a different motorcycle."

I think R_Little is the point man on this topic, let him get 1000 miles on his used gasket.

 

[motogo1]

Well, after seeing the work involved, I'm chickening out. One exhaust valve has a bigger gap by .002 in 3000 miles, the cam chain has no stretch in 5000, plus the bike runs great. Do I really want to see inside that bad. I guess not.
Head gasket on Halls wesite $94.50

 

[OlderHuskyRider]

Well, after seeing the work involved, I'm chickening out. One exhaust valve has a bigger gap by .002 in 3000 miles, the cam chain has no stretch in 5000, plus the bike runs great. Do I really want to see inside that bad. I guess not.
Head gasket on Halls wesite $94.50

Jumpin' jiminy cricket.....my 1.2mm 450/510 HG was $24.24

 

[MontyCarlo]

Well, after seeing the work involved, I'm chickening out. One exhaust valve has a bigger gap by .002 in 3000 miles, the cam chain has no stretch in 5000, plus the bike runs great. Do I really want to see inside that bad. I guess not.
Head gasket on Halls wesite $94.50

Jumpin' jiminy cricket.....my 1.2mm 450/510 HG was $24.24

And the quote from Halls for an X-Lite head gasket is $44.49

I'm wondering if a call to the dealer might be in order, maybe the $95 price tag is a typo???

 

[motogo1]

I guess it's an Athena thing. Did some checking and a 250 or 450/510 gasket is indeed $23. A 310 (Athena) is $95. Different thickness 310 is $112.