Reuse gaskets?!

[danthman114]

Starting last weekend I started some work on my 96 and after much reading here I have a couple questions. I grew up being told to replace gaskets when you remove them but here I read that some folks here reuse the throttle body and valve cover gaskets. I did my valve cover gasket last week and an oil change yesterday and its leaking worse than the old one. I can see the oil bubbling out on the driver side rear.
Is it OK to reuse the gaskets? I'm going to tear it down again to inspect the valve cover gasket...

 

[the stig]

I was under the impression that the valve cover gasket was FIPG from the factory. There are aftermarket gaskets that are sold, but I've read people have had bad luck with them.

 

[the stig]

I was under the impression that the valve cover gasket was FIPG from the factory. There are aftermarket gaskets that are sold, but I've read people have had bad luck with them.

I stand corrected. I was thinking of the oil pan. Did you use OEM gasket or something different?

 

[AJP]

I would try ... probably the valve cover gasket slipped out of the cover groove while you were sliding it into place (checking that all the tabs are exposed helps but is no guarantee) and unless it is torn it should be fine. I was also surprised to see that several of the spark plug tube seals on mine were split also. As for the throttle body ... I might put a very very thin film of oil on it before re-installing it. Mine seemed to pick up oil during the course of operation anyway

 

[blkprj80]

The FSM has a diamond next to the parts you don't re-use.
I'm pretty sure plug tube seals have that, and valve cover gasket likely.
If it's leaking you probably had the gasket fall out. A new one will hang in the groove nicely if it isn't all oily.

 

[LS1FJ40]

The valve cover gasket is $15. Replace it. Rubber gets fragile after 20 years.

I used the Felpro gasket from Autozone. It is perfectly fine.

 

[ajax1]

So sounds like your seal is a weak old I would pull the valve cover pull your seal out make sure it is not torn, then spray brake cleaner to clean out the grove on the cover get it nice dry no oil, wipe top head get it dry, use little fipg on the seal just to hold it in the groves of the cover. Lay down cover making sure it did not drop out tighten valve car bolts to like 7ftlbs or barely past hand tight

 

[Howard705]

reuse-I wipe a super thin layer of grease on throttle body.

 

[120mm]

I've had the throttle body off a couple times and didn't think twice about reusing that gasket.

It was in good condition and I handled it carefully.

 

[Golgo13]

You could reuse the gaskets if you're in a pinch, but chances are you'll have to re-do the work sooner than later. Saving a few bucks on a new gasket usually means you'll still have to spend the money later AND the time to replace the parts.

The rubber degrades over time and it is better to just replace it. If you wanted, you could buy some material from Gaskets, Custom Gaskets, Gasket Tools,Deacon Sealants,Gasket Material, Boiler Tapes, Gasket Making Tools, FDA Rubber, Compressed Sheet, EPDM, SBR, Neoprene and make your own and even upgrade to material that will last longer than what you already have.

 

[danthman114]

Well I tore it down again and it was torn. My guess is that it caught on one of the bolts in there and tore it. Great. Going to order tomorrow. I've done many, many valve cover gaskets over the years and the land cruiser is by far the biggest headache out of all. Worse than military generators...

 

[120mm]

Well I tore it down again and it was torn. My guess is that it caught on one of the bolts in there and tore it. Great. Going to order tomorrow. I've done many, many valve cover gaskets over the years and the land cruiser is by far the biggest headache out of all. Worse than military generators...

Inline sixes are the worst. Well, maybe not as bad as a straight eight, but you get my drift.

I made myself some centering studs for valve cover gaskets on straight sixes by cutting the heads off long bolts and making a slot on top with a die grinder. Then I install them with a flat head screwdriver, which allows me to get both the gasket and the cover on straight without screwing it up. I then remove one slotted stud at a time and replace it with a valve cover bolt.

 

[Howard705]

VC gaskets that won't stay on right I like to apply rtv around the entire vc-push into place-then sit on a Perfectly flat surface with some weight on it to begin to set up-then set into place.

 

[AJP]

Inline sixes are the worst. Well, maybe not as bad as a straight eight, but you get my drift.

I made myself some centering studs for valve cover gaskets on straight sixes by cutting the heads off long bolts and making a slot on top with a die grinder. Then I install them with a flat head screwdriver, which allows me to get both the gasket and the cover on straight without screwing it up. I then remove one slotted stud at a time and replace it with a valve cover bolt.

regrettably the 80 series valve cover gasket has no bolt holes to register ... it just sits in a groove machined in the valve cover where it must be placed before installation ... and can fall out if not seated deeply enough before placing the cover on the head.

 

[120mm]

regrettably the 80 series valve cover gasket has no bolt holes to register ... it just sits in a groove machined in the valve cover where it must be placed before installation ... and can fall out if not seated deeply enough before placing the cover on the head.

You know, I did mine this spring, coincidentally when I did a 200 ci Ford and and old John Deere tractor, so I confused them.

 

[AJP]

You know, I did mine this spring, coincidentally when I did a 200 ci Ford and and old John Deere tractor, so I confused them.

the 200ci 6cyl was a very good motor .. I have an old 144ci sitting in my garage somewhere -- it wasnt so good. But imo the best was the 300ci fuel injected with full steel timing gears - no chain

 

[120mm]

the 200ci 6cyl was a very good motor .. I have an old 144ci sitting in my garage somewhere -- it wasnt so good. But imo the best was the 300ci fuel injected with full steel timing gears - no chain

It is potentially a great motor; truly bullet proof bottom end. But the cast in log manifold lets it down, horribly. #1 and #6 are always running too lean and #3 and #4 are always running too rich. It needs three carbs and a shaved head or turbo-charging to correct that condition. Or an Australian head.

Concur on the 300. I wish the Series 80 came with the 300 you speak of.