re-use head gasket

M

maxco

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Is re-useing a head gasket Ok

Hey guys,

I bought a peak preformance head. Everywhere I have read says that you re-use the gaskets from the top of the old head. I have not cracked the engine open before, so I do not know if this is true. I just wonder if this is pretty standard, and what are the odds of damaging the gasket. I want to ride on Sunday. I was thinking of doing this today. I do not have any replacement gaskets. I just do not know. Any help? I mean I know I re-use the chaincase gasket all the time. If it is not mangled coming off it is fine. Are the head gaskets similar in there re-use? Thanks :2strokes:
 
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I guess if they come off clean and not damaged and put back on the same way..should be good.I would get some of that High Tack Spray-A-Gasket and coat both sides lightly.

P2100217.jpg
 
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ive re-used my head gaskets on my exciter 570...they were mangled to.. i just used a lot of hi-temp gasket maker....permatex motoseal..or something simillar.
 
you could reuse the gasket... but why, If you just spent $250+ on heads? I would just leave them untill you have a set of new gaskets to go with your new heads.
the idea of missing a day of riding... I wouldn't even be asking this question! ha ha

DAMN snow where are you?!
 
thanks

That is why I asked the question. Thanks for confirming my thoughts. I will be replacing the gaskets. If anyone knows the least expensive place to get some please chime in. I looked around and they are $27-$38 a piece. Not exactly a pittance, but I only want to do this once. :letitsnow :letitsnow :letitsnow
 
No problem reusing them if you use some ultra copper spray and let them tack up before installing. Have reused stock gaskets and removed layers with no problems using the spray.
 
those pics were taken in late Oct I think.We have just a tad of snow..not much riding this time around.Have to ride a couple of miles basically in grass to get to the river.Then can run all day..it is that bad the lack of snow around here.
 
so an additional question

Since I have never opened up an engine before, is there anything I might need to know about when doing this proceedure? I am putting on a peak performance head. It has a large o-string that goes around the circumference. This ring I am told is to be superglued together, when I did that it seems really tight to fit around the groove that it is to fit in. Is this correct? Next since I have the head off I was going to check for wash (following MR Vipers post on that). But is there a way to check for head clearance while I have the top off, or is the solder thru the spark plug still the best method? Thanks:2strokes:
 
Looks to be a red head MM700, but he is using a Peak Performance head that's where the o-ring is.
 
o ring

Correct O-ring is in the Peak Performance head. I will be checking the jetting of course, but should I be ready to re-jet mains? Or is this a little needlework? I just want to know the time I might be thinking of to get it dialed in. If It is going to be alot of re=jetting I might hold off until late spring. Thanks :letitsnow
 
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