I've heard that you can soak used head gaskets in water then put them into a freezer overnight to expand them. This fluffs them up for re-use.

With the high price of gaskets today and the tight econonmy do you think I can straighten up my gasket and re-use it?



TH




Seriously, this little jem died on the road on our last tour. It purt-near broke my arm trying to start it. I took xrays but couldn't find a break... hurt purty good for about 4 weeks! This was two months ago and I'm just starting to work on it now because I wasn't ready to try and start a T until now!

Someone here will probably suggest JB weld, or modified bituminous tar.

I would think that gasket is too far gone. It looks broken between cyl 1 & 2. I don't see how that could repaired.
Howard

If you have a copper asbestos/asbestos substitute and the gasket is in very good condition, it can be reused. No special treatment, just tighten and re-tighten after the engine has warmed up and run a bit, same as you would do a new one. I have done this many times with no problems. I also don't use any sealer on a head gasket when I install them.

Are head gaskets really that expensive? If you are desperate, you could do like Oliver Wendle Holmes did in Green acres, use his wife's hotscakes trimmings.
Best
Gus

Terry, you have to be kidding about reusing that head gasket! If your timer cover looks like that gasket, I can understand why your arm hurts. Those covers were cleaned daily in the old days to prevent the filings from sharing grounds, especially between #2 and #4 on the bottom terminals.

The last old gasket I tried to reuse was still a nice copper color on both sides and still would not seal properly. A new gasket worked fine and only wasted an hour of my time.

Just saw a 1/2 model T engine on youtube. Cut in half with a hack saw after the crank snapped.(so the guy claims). Anyway, it runs and it's about what you'd have if you re-use that gasket. Without all the cutting that is. I assume he's joking.

Come on Terry, that gasket is history. Yes you can soak a gasket and freeze it and it will swell. Then dry it and use it again. The gasket in your picture has a definite tear betweeen the cylinders and is absolutly no good.

But the old trick in the 30's, 40's, and 50's for used flat head gaskets was to paint both sides of the gasket with aluminum paint and the deck and underside of the head also. While all four surfaces are still wet, put it together and it will seal up very well without the freezing and magic swelling exercises.

I suspect it is like the time I took a tire into the shop with a 8 inch gap in one sidewall, I told the kid inthe shop that he may need to put a boot in the tire,
Best
Gus

If you use that gasket, you will be running on 2 cylinders. I don't know why you removed the gasket, but assume it was because it had blown. If you put in any new valves, rings pistons or other new parts, they are going to cost you a lot more than a gasket. So why not spend a few more dollars and replace the gasket with a new one? It's only money, and likely will never again be worth as much as it is right now, so why not spend some now and fix it right?
Norm

That 1 is to far gone for even my tite wad,shoestring budgeted, self to try to reuse.
But yes,gaskets are getting exspensive, and I do appreciate the tips given on reswelling gaskets.

If the economy aint hurt some of ye,and you are liveing confortable,enjoy it,but understand you are very blessed and things can change,even for you.

I am sure Terry is joking, but all kidding aside. I did actually fill in a blown section of a head gasket with some carefully-sized, using a hammer, stranded copper wire from my tool box. The sizing had to be precise so as to not break the head when it was tightened. And it had to be very tight to hold. I didn't leave it there for long. Just enough to get home. I kept that gasket for show-and-tell for about 20 years. I think I threw it away when I moved 9 years ago.
Drive carefully, W2

Anyone that has read this forum anytime between 1999 and 2005 knows that a post like that from Terry Horlick is a JOKE. A JOKE!
He has no doubt repaired, rebuilt and otherwise massaged T engines and transmission for more hours than the average T guy. Especially since he used his Old Rusty, a late pickup, as his daily driver for several years, to say nothing of the brass 8 passenger surry topped express wagon/depot hack that was on the cover of The Vintage Ford some years ago.. .

Normally the gasket will blow between #1 and #2 or #3 and #4. If one has one each of these gaskets, The gaskets may be cut around the middle, between #2 and #3, avoiding cutting through the water passages, and then using the two good halves of each gasket.

Reusing the same head gasket too many times (probably less than five, certainly no more than ten times) by the previous owner has cost my cousin a complete rebuild on his 26 T coupe, Even if you think copper gaskets are too expensive, the cheapest new steel or composition gasket is better than taking a chance on reusing a copper gasket too many times. If you can't afford a new head gasket every time you pull a head, then maybe your in the wrong hobby and should consider collecting models of antique cars., and that's my opinion and I'm sticking to it.

Terry...It sure is good hearing from you...Where you been? If I had your money, I'de burn mine...Spring for a new one, OK? (Or maybe a dozen.) OR use the old one and tighten the head bolts REALLY tight.

That's funny, Hal. Has Jay Leno called you to guest host for him when he's away?

Terry H. Good to see you checking in.
George n L.A.