Re-Use head gaskets?
 

I have a pair of FelPro #1016 head gaskets that were used for a couple of years with aluminum heads. They appear to be in great shape, but do I dare reuse these with iron heads?

I'm still in the process of learning about Pontiacs so I'm not sure what the signifigance of a 1016 head gaskets is. That being said I don't think I'd reuse any head gasket(or any gasket for that matter) on an engine I really care about given how cheap and plentiful head gaskets are to start with. A part such as a gasket may "appear" OK but could have hundreds of microscopic flaws invisible to the naked eye. Remember, one side of the gasket was touching cast iron.

no..there is a slight chance they would seal...but its not worth the effort...i think reusable copper gaskets are available...

I did it once , got lucky.

I've reused 1016's. The last set I reused 3 times. That's in an engine over 650hp. First time w/ steel heads, other 2 with aluminum. I asked my engine builder about this. He said he would rather use an old set of proven head gaskets than a new pair. I figured after 3 times I was pushing my luck. I rebuilt the engine and had the heads and block resurfaced. It's now over 700hp. I put on a new set of 1016's and after 65 passes one let go and I torched the head. Had that fixed and installed a new set of ROL head gaskets and ran the rest of the season without a problem. I just took it apart again and all is well. I will be reusing these again.

It's up to you but I wouldn't hesitate to reuse them.

I have reused them 3 times myself, but you gotta re-torque them after the first heat up and cool down, and this is with a blower motor on 8 psi of boost.

i have reused head gaskets for many years. i would not hesitate to resuse them, if they appear to be in good shape.

My guy said the same thing

I would do it if, and did, replacing the same heads.
Changing heads, new gaskets would be safer.

Stock class racers...
 

do it all the time. Say they couldn't afford to race if they had to replace head gaskets every time they got torn down for inspection.

since thay are 1016s, it is worth visually inspecting them.
They usually appear quite good.
I have re-used them successfully with cast iron setups.
A bit of a new 7 varied territory for aluminum squish then Iron squish: could be argued that the gasket pre-squished-by-Al-Head makes a better gasket seal for the Iron head.

Most used 1016s are better than any new Briggs&stratton style head gasket found in the rebuild kits. Ask me how I know....you too would know if you try to dis-assembly a head with one of them kit build gaskets. Clean-up is profoundly poor situation.

I see you are in St. Louis. It's probably the same guy. The shop is in Granite City?

I'd be broke if I replaced my Felpro head gaskets everytime I removed the heads! I reuse them all the time with "0" failures.

I agree with Ron and the others, Fel-prp are well made and I have used them dozens of times during NHRA & IHRA teardowns.. Without any problems, can't say that about other headgaskets !!! Dave...1033/stock(RV-455)