*MHG Reuse*

[IJ.]

I'm going to reuse my HKS Stopper MHG in this build and would like to discuss any experiences, tips, or general info that people may have on the subject!

Please no "My cousin's brother's girlfriends neighbours saw Ferris collapse at 31 flavours while reusing a MHG" posts thanks!

If you've done the job jump in and share!

 

[1989MKIII]

IMO-if it was me, and i was doing it, i would just spend the coin on a new HG. that way there is NO chance of it being bad in some way.

take it or leave it. but thats my $.02


later
justin

 

[IJ.]

Justin: It's not bad in anyway.

It's a $400 gasket and "should" be reusable I just wanted to discuss options for removing the Viton coating and what people have used as a sealer and so on!

 

[malloynx]

Ian, I reused a cometic and HKS with no ill effects.. and i believe the stopper has a beefier fire ring so you should be good to go.

 

[IJ.]

Mike: What steps did you take to prep it for reuse?

 

[tookwik4u89]

I am on the 3rd round with this bead2.0 HKS, its been in 16 months this time, no problems, I use permatex copper gasket spray on it and between layers. Just get it real clean and coat it good , let it set up for a few b4 bolting down.

Later.... Ken

 

[IJ.]

Ken: How did you remove the old Viton?

 

[tookwik4u89]

I used a 3m green rubber bristle disc on my die grinder IIRC. then cleaned it with carb cleaner spray, then soap and water, then copper spray.

 

[IJ.]

Thanks !

Was thinking maybe some type of paint stripper/solvent then Paint thinner followed by Prepsol and a coat of Copper Spray!

Don't really want to hit it with anything abrasive or spinning just in case!

 

[JustAnotherVictim]

The few times I ever had to replace one, the old sealent was pretty much gone.

 

[tookwik4u89]

If that stuff will soften up the viton, you can use a plastic razor blade or scraper on it, the bristle disc more leaves rubber on gasket than takes metal off, then carb cleaner cleaned the rubber off the gasket, I work at Toyota dealer, so I always use the rubber discs on the aluminum heads, and the rougher brown discs on the block when I do head gaskets.

 

[suprastanger507mgte]

I have resued it before with a bit of metal / copper spray .
The surface needs to be clean and super smooth which I am sure you know already.
No issues noted.

 

[pimptrizkit]

just resued a 2.0mm unknown maker, appeared decent, i'll let you know of any ill effects soon

 

[IJ.]

SS and Pimp: Description of the prep work done before refitting please?

Just curious as it will help me in the short term and everyone else doing this in the long term!

There's NOT a lot of information on this on the web that I can find so I'll play with different solvents here and see what I can come up with but I don't want to be reinventing the wheel if someone else here has a system that works!

 

[jdub]

IJ - Brake cleaner works really well Acetone works too.
Use a fine 3M pad for the last touch up...it won't harm the steel.

Brake Quiet seem to work quite well as a sealer....I'm sure the copper spray will be fine too though.

 

[chriso]

Not to hijack, however I also have a question also:

I put a HKS MHG on a block and damaged the head during the rebuild. The head has been torqued to 85 ft.lbs. but never saw a spark and is still sitting on the engine stand. I have to replace the head now. Would this gasket be alright for reuse. The reason I am asking is that, even without the heat of the engine, the pressure from torquing the bolts make have caused the gasket to seal.

 

[IJ.]

JD: Thanks!

I'll try various things and see what works now I have a starting point!

Chris: I think when you lift the head it will damage the Coating!

 

[chriso]

Chris: I think when you lift the head it will damage the Coating!

That's what I'm concerned about:3d_frown:

 

[suprarich]

Hey IJ, just as a precaution, it would not hurt to mic the gasket in various places and compare to a new gasket to check for un even crush. Also, with out the rubber, and being seated once, you may lose a little crush on the used gasket. A little extra ft lbs on the head studs may be in order to make up.

 

[IJ.]

Chris: While I've been researching this I've come across a few mentions for motors that get pulled down often (ie: Race Motors) That you can spray the MHG with CRC before installation and it will stop the rubber adhering to either surface!

Rich: There really shouldn't be any crush at all other than if it had beads before installation?