Reusing old gaskets is not a practice that is recommended in the gasket
industry. No, this is not a plot to sell more gaskets. It is based in part
on what causes a gasket to work properly.
When the gasket is installed it is torqued down to a correct load. The
gasket material does most of the sealing of the joint but the material also
has compressibility and recovery (spring back) properties. If when the
gasket is re used the load properties on the joint have changed or the gasket
has been crushed the recovery and compressibility properties will be affected
and the gasket may leak. It may work but like all else in life it is a risk.
For the small price of the part and the time involved in fixing the leak you
need to decide if it is worth the risk.
Al
62 A MKII roadster
60 A 1600 coupe
70 B roadster with O/D
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