Reusing Intake Manifold Gasket? Opinions?

[Shocker]

ok, I've been through 3 gasket sets this year already for a motor that has only ran like once. I'm getting sick of buying them.. Anyways I just had it all back together a few weeks ago, to only find out #6 had no compression. So out goes the motor for like the 5th time this summer.

Anyway car never started, the Intake gasket was only torqued down. These gaskets need to be replaced after torquing down? Or should I order another...... I'd like to put her back together again this weekend. Just making sure I don't order something thats not needed.

[DriftingisLame]

Its not very expensive is it? I lost a motor due to one of these wearing out, granted it was an older motor, and an original gasket...

Take from that what you will. I'd replaced it personally.

[govtworkhorse]

^ I say go for a new one. But I say that from the viewpoint of someone who hasn't pulled my motor 5 times. That has got to be getting old.

[eh?]

Rb20's have paper gaskets no? Rb25's are metal, I've reused one with a bit of rtv, didn't have any issues.

[Bluefire]

any metal gasket thats not broken can be reused... paper should be replaced as they usually tear apart.

Also I wouldn't use silicone on the entire gasket... I only silicone the water ports. If you do silicone the whole gasket, it'll probably be unuseable the next time you take off the manifold because it'll be tought to scrape off all the old silicone.

-Bluefire

[Shocker]

Thanks guys for the confirmation. Ill use a bit of RTV around the water ports. Hopefully this block has good compression...

[eh?]

The intake gaskets are crush type, I wouldn't reuse the gasket with out a bit of rtv or a layer of copper spray all over. For me it's been a one time deal only I don't and wouldn't reuse it twice. Not in an area that sees a good amount pressure. Just my opinion.

[mott6904]

I would never reuse a paper gasket. I would be a new one a use some copper hi-tach spray on it and you would be good to go. Also something to thank about cometic recently came out with a intake manifold gasket for the rb20.

[300Plus]

I've removed/installed my intake mani about 5 or 6 times (RB25) and I reuse the same gaskter every time but I do coat it in rtv each time to be safe no issues so far