reusing 22re head gasket-bad idea?

[hobiesbestfriend]

I redid the top end of my 85 22re. Put in a new head gasket at the time. Less than 500km I realise I should have done the timing chain/cover. Can I reuse the head gasket?

Also wondering why the coolant passages between the head and the block are blocked off by my headgasket(felpro) Why is this?

 

["N8"]

Yup its a bad idea. Those gaskets are designed to be able to compress to a specefic torque and once youve torqued em thats it. if you were to reuse the old headgasket it would probobly work for a bit but you wiould never know when and if it were going to let go.

 

[Texx]

My 85 is a 22r, carbureted. Just did the head gasket, with felpro, nothing was blocked??? maybe flip it over 180? I wouldn't reuse it, it's a one-time crush thing to the best of my knowedge.

 

[KLF]

Never re-use a head gasket from this engine.

I don't think you can install it backwards, it's not symmetrical.

You can replace the timing chain and cover without removing the head. I actually prefer doing it this way. Just drop the oil pan, very easy on a solid front axle truck.

 

[hammerhead]

That is right. No need to lift head for cam chain replacement. I've done it this way with good success. The FSM says to remove the head but it is NOT required. I've seen a write-up on it somewhere... maybe Pirate?

 

["N8"]

That is right. No need to lift head for cam chain replacement. I've done it this way with good success. The FSM says to remove the head but it is NOT required. I've seen a write-up on it somewhere... maybe Pirate?

you guys should have seen the face this guy gave me when I told this exact same thing to a toyota master machanic a couple of weeks ago.

 

[Mark W]

Yep, FSM and most flat rate books consider head removal a must for this job. It's not. IF you are careful not to damage the front of the head gasket as you reinstall the timing cover. I've done three of them in the last month. But if you do bend the head gasket, you will then have to pull the head. Damaging the heads gasket at this point will create a major oil leak.


Mark...

 

[theo]

You need this link:
http://www.4crawler.com/4x4/CheapTricks/index.shtml

 

[Odyseuss]

I would never reuse a headgasket. Ive seen people put them on upside down But Its pretty obvious which way they go. I know that its possible to replace the chain and front cover with out removing the head but I have also seen tons of them leak. Besides its not very difficult to remove the head. I also like to use the coated steel replacement guides. IMHO

 

[hobiesbestfriend]

OK, First of, I decided to pull the head, as since I was doing the timing cover, I decided to do the whole timing set(incl steel backed guide from engnbldr). I realise now that I could have gotten away with the valve cover coming off to access the cam sprocket bolt, but decided to do it from scratch just to better know the engine for future. The work isn't huge, it was just the cost of the gasket, since I had paid 55 bux for a felpro from Can. Tire.
I asked about re-using more out of curiousity than anything especially now that I've found a machine shop that sells Corteco brand gaskets for 27 instead. I was wondering since you had to crush them when you first install the head, and then undo and retorque later on. Thought maybe it was ok with low mileage. It's not.
No, I did not put it on upside down. There is only one way they fit and this is it. It is a felpro, and it does block the coolant passages between the cylinders. TEXX, the only thing I can think is maybe the gasket for the carbed ones are different or the engine is different, but either way, I've spoken to others that have done a few felpro head gaskets and they concur. Noone knows why the passages are blocked, but they are. However on the new gasket there are a few small holes to allow coolant flow that weren't on the felpro one. I'll stick in a picture later on. Thanks for the input.

 

[Red_Chili]

In your particular situation, you could avoid changing the HG. However, about the time the timing chain needs service you are approaching the service life of the HG. That is probably why the master mechanic gave you the look. Lots of guys have done it, but I have had a HG fail due to age alone about 160K, and it went slow enough to corrode the block deck.

It is not that much harder, you get a chance to decarbon everything, lap the valves if you want, throw in ARP head studs if you like, so why not? Cheap insurance. A little more work now, vs. a lot more work and expense later.