I had just finished putting an intake manifold on my 283, got it all torqued down. Then realized I had an old heater hose connection that I wasn't going to be using, but in taking it out I busted the intake and had to take it off. Now the question. Are the intake gaskets history or can I still use them. Thanks. Bob
I look at the problem like this. I can easily calculate the cost by getting new gaskets. By taking the chance and reusing them I have no way of knowing the cost until I have fully assembled and have the engine running. Then that cost could be zero or it could be too many hours of my precious life because I didn't spend 10.00 before. I can then easily calculate the cost by counting disassembly, and reassembly x2 plus the 10.00 gaskets
For the love of car Gods!!!! Don't use them it will always bother you and for the money it's not worth even thinking about it.
Definitely, a dumb question. My question to him is: do you have a new manifold? If so, with the price of the new manifold, why would anybody use previously torqued gaskets. My feeling is that you are playing with fire on an SBC, since the coolant passes thru the manifold and that would be sad to see the oil and coolant get mixed and destroy the rest of the engine. I think that says it all.