As some might know I rebuilt my engine about a year ago but I have already done the rings on cylinder 6. I have read somewhere that some metal gaskets can be reused. Is this true? Does anyone know if l can rebuild using my old cometic metal head gasket?
Whay are you using them in the first place? Any particular reason? Why did the rings only last 12 months? How many kms?
Short answer is yes you usually can re-use them 2-3 times according to the manufacturer aslong as they are undamaged. Would I do this? No. Its too much of a pain in the ass to replace the head gasket in a 300zx. You won't get much love for the cometic gaskets on the forum, everyone goes for the OEM gaskets. I personally run cometic and have no issues, as long as the head is decked and prepped as required there are no issues.
Overheat? Too much piston/bore clearance? Not tin in properly? I'd like to know too! Could useful info...
Id say pinging has killed the rings. As for reusing the cometics. I have on my own car twice before with no sealing problems. But then there are guys who cant even get brand new cometics to seal....
Ok thanks all! That's good to know. I'll check the gasket for any signs of leaking and if its ok I'll reuse it otherwise ill go back to oem. Ah main reason for ring damage is that I had a fault on injector 6 causing it to stay open which I think hydrolocked the cylinder and may have glazed the bore. So next rebuild includes a new wiring loom and nismo injectors. Other reason was probably that I had a faulty ebc causing boost spikes.
Spot on Saying that i didn't use mine again on the last rebuild, seeing mine see's a fair bit of track work i didn't want to take the risk. For just road use i probably would have used them again.
