Re-using an un-used headgasket

[Spun MkIII]

I had my head off my car for a while, and today I finally sprayed a new Toyota headgasket with some copper gasket sealer, put it in, and tightened down my ARP's. However, I forgot to install the coolant hardlines that begin near the starter, go around the back of the engine and across the exhaust side. Now I can't fit them back on and also need to helicoil the rear exhaust manifold stud. So, it looks like I will need to take my head off again. :3d_frown:
Let me know if I am delusional for even considering this, but how bad of an idea would it be to re-use the factory headgasket? Should I wait and see how it looks after pulling the head, or is it useless to even try?
I am in a very stubborn mood and need to hear some common sense, so don't be shy with your opinions.

 

[Allan_MA70]

new gasket

 

[johnathan1]

same thing happened to me...luckily the first time i had a cheap fel-pro gasket on their. then I went and got an OEM toyota one. Yes, you must get a new one, it won't seal otherwise, it has copper water-jackets that form fit the first time, and seal...

 

[xarewhyayen]

composite head gaskets should never be reused after being torqued... im with the above mentioned... new hg

 

[GrimJack]

x4, I'm afraid. It's sad how it's almost faster to pull the engine, install that pipe & the helicoil, then put it back in without separating the head and block.

 

[Spun MkIII]

That is exactly what I was thinking.

 

[PorterzSupra]

im kinda confused...

"However, I forgot to install the coolant hardlines that begin near the starter"

When I did my HG I dident remove any hardlines... How did u end up removing them in the first place? The only coolant lines that need to be removed is one soft rubber one in the back and one soft rubber one in the front..

Oh and on the headgasket thing, if it was a metal HG DEFINATLY, the OEM DEF NOT. the copper and whatnot with crush to make a seal and then when you go to re tighten it the gasket will crush slighty different causing the original material that was crushed to possibly leak. There is a very slim chance it would work but its not worth the labor of doing it over... well unless you dont mind?

 

[Spun MkIII]

I didn't need to remove the hardlines, but I was scrubbing and cleaning the sides of the block while I waited on some parts. At the time, it was just easier to take them off to clean everything.