Gasket Reusable?

Rockitdoc

Rockitdoc

Hero member
Location
Fort Collins, Colorado
The gasket between the block and the barrels on the RGS1000SFC.  I assembled the engine, torqued the head, then broke a stud and decided to Timesert my block.  Head gasket I will replace, but do I need to on the one block to barrels gasket?  It's not damaged and I didn't use any goo the first time, but is it compressed now and needing relief?  I don't have a new one, or I would just replace it.  But, if it doesn't matter, I can reassemble this beauty and see if it explodes when it starts.  :D
 
If you didn't fire it up I expect you could re-use the head gasket too, although, I'm not a mechanic so what do I know... ::)
 
If it hasn't been run/ hot it should be usable. I would think the head gasket should be too. Red or Keith might be the ones to ask though.
 
I've re-used head gaskets on freshly assembled motors that have needed to come apart again for some reason - no problem so far.
I did it the other day on my Jota, but haven't re-started that one yet so the jury is still out in that particular case.

Base gasket should be OK too.

I dunno whether I'd be brave enough to assemble any gasket without some kind of sealant though. You'll be pissed off if you have to take the engine apart again to fix oil leaks.
 
Dellortoman said:
I've re-used head gaskets on freshly assembled motors that have needed to come apart again for some reason - no problem so far.
I did it the other day on my Jota, but haven't re-started that one yet so the jury is still out in that particular case.

Base gasket should be OK too.

I dunno whether I'd be brave enough to assemble any gasket without some kind of sealant though. You'll be pissed off if you have to take the engine apart again to fix oil leaks.
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Yeah.  I agree.  Sealant this time on the base gasket.  I'm not taking this apart again, any time soon..... :D  yeah, right!

 
Rockitdoc said:
Yeah.  I agree.  Sealant this time on the base gasket.  I'm not taking this apart again, any time soon..... :D  yeah, right!
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I usually use regular (red) sealant on one side of the gasket and grease on the other: this means you can take it apart easily enough and still reuse paper or composite gaskets. On the head gasket I use a smear of thin exhaust paste either side of the gasket. Works wonders on Triumphs and old BMC car engines (MG & Minis etc)... probably doesn't work on Laverdas tho.. :D
 
I didn't use sealant on my motor this time and so far no oil leaks, base and head gaskets. When I had to remove the barrels to fit another of Red's thin gaskets to compensate for the metal removed from both faces of the head I found the base gasket had stuck to the ally face so had to replace that again. Pretty sure I replaced the head gasket as well.
Still dealing with a leak from the inner alt cover [S1]. Refitted the new this time with 3bond sealant then replaced it with another new one. Seems I"m not the only one so maybe a dodgy gasket material as I've never had a leaking problem from there before.
 
Have never used a sealant on base or head gaskets, never had a leak....well until I used a copper head gasket quickly replaced.
 
Just use grease on the base gasket, the main oil feed gallery sits in the bottom of the barrel but the gasket is well clamped and well supported never used any sealant OK to reuse gasket if the motor has not been run. Little point in fitting time certs to the crankcase stud holes unless the original threads are stripped.


  Keith
 
laverdakeith said:
Little point in fitting time certs to the crankcase stud holes unless the original threads are stripped.

Understood, but not taking any chances.  I don't know if the studs had been over-torqued in the past.  The one broken stud indicates this might be true.  So, if true, the studs, and more likely the case threads are marginal.  Better safe, than sorry.  Especially with this part of the bike.


  Keith
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motoddrob said:
Still dealing with a leak from the inner alt cover [S1]. Refitted the new this time with 3bond sealant then replaced it with another new one. Seems I"m not the only one so maybe a dodgy gasket material as I've never had a leaking problem from there before.
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Mine is still oozing oil there even after retorquing the retaining bolts. On the ride out I saw Mike N's bike was also leaking oil from this join. Both engines newly rebuilt with same brand gaskets.
 
Hope the line-her-uppity is good.  For what it's worth - and please take this constructively - I think you're making a mistake.  Firstly I would not repair the holes unless they needed it.  Secondly, I would not timesert 12 holes unless in a milling machine.  It's a hell of a lot easier to take material off than it is to put it back on.

Of course it is possible, however if doing it by hand (even with a guide) it's infinitely easier to stuff it up than it is to make it good.  Stick it back together and worry about it if a thread pulls.

Just the opinion of a machinist of 25 years.

Cheers
SteveB
 
If memory serves me, it makes it a hell of a lot easier to lower the barrels over the pistons with most studs removed...room to deal with the ring compressors.And with time certs you can easily do that, although because th studs don't bottom out you need to be sure you adjust to the right height. Hope I don't have to do all that again for some time....
 
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