Hi

got a question, short blobk is built, I put the dowl pins on for the heads, set on one gasket, bagged motor back up and realised I left head gasket on, unbagged and removed gasket, stupid me now has oil on mateing surface of gasket from bagging motor.

wipped off oil, do you think this will effect sealing capability of gasket? Just trying to save a buck,
thanks

 

If i were in that exact situation as you, i'd go with a fresh set of clean head gaskets (cheap insurance), but that's just me, i'm very **** about that sort of stuff, maybe others feel differently.

 

I concur. These heads aren't exactly light, so I wouldn't risk having to pull one back off to replace a leaky gasket.

 

I would use them. Just my nature. Why waste money. As long as it wiped off and wasn't soaking in oil for weeks. I mean they are oil andwater resistant.we

 

Those gaskets arn't cheap, and although I'm sure the BEST answer is replacement it sort of depends on you.

I think I paid over $30 a piece for those Fel-Pro 1020 head gaskets, so I'd see what I could do with cleaning the oil to reducing the risk of failure. On the other hand, if it does fail, you will have to buy a new one anyway, plus intake gaskets, exhaust gaskets, and maybe valve cover gaskets due to the tear-down required. Oh, and you'll lose some expensive anti-freeze as well. If it drains into the oil, then an oil change will also be required.

Now, to play devil's advocate, I can't see a little oil staining hurting much... if that's all it is, or you can reduce it to that.

Keep in mind the gasket should be oil resistant. Also, many non-cyl head gaskets are made out of the same or similiar material are installed with various types of gasket sealer.

If the oil isn't too bad, you might want to put some paper towels on the gasket, and then a paperweight. Leave for a day or two and maybe the oil will come out of the gasket and into the paper towels. Maybe newspaper would work better.

For those of us with minimal experience (like me), we have to go by the book. More experienced engine guys know what they can get away with and what they can't. Often this is through trial and error.

So, if you decide to use the oil-stained head gasket, then it would be nice to know if it lasts or not.

 

cool, thanks guys

picking up felpro 8554pt this afternoon

 

I know it sucks having to fork over that money twice, but i think you're doing the right thing.