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Author Topic: MLS gaskit  (Read 2734 times)

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Offline Dion

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MLS gaskit
« on: October 28, 2013, 01:02:20 AM »
Hi, chaps.

Is it possible to reuse a MLS head gasket?

Thanks to all for the help so far. This is the nicest forum that I been on.
I also race a Royal Enfield  and I'm on a American RE forum. I find the ugly sarcasm unpleasant on that site.
Make no mistake that sarcasm has a place and can be extremely funny, but it must not belittle anyone.
Once again thanks to all of you.
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Offline turboguzzi

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Re: MLS gaskit
« Reply #1 on: October 28, 2013, 01:50:28 AM »
yep, reusable, and thats just  part of the fun you can have with MLS
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Offline Dion

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Re: MLS gaskit
« Reply #2 on: October 28, 2013, 01:58:22 AM »
Tell me more
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Offline Don R

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Re: MLS gaskit
« Reply #3 on: October 28, 2013, 07:30:54 AM »
You can go thin and gain some compression, that's one way.
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Offline MCRider

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Re: MLS gaskit
« Reply #4 on: October 28, 2013, 09:09:13 AM »
Quote from: dbeerd on October 28, 2013, 01:02:20 AM
Hi, chaps.

Is it possible to reuse a MLS head gasket?

Thanks to all for the help so far. This is the nicest forum that I been on.
I also race a Royal Enfield  and I'm on a American RE forum. I find the ugly sarcasm unpleasant on that site.
Make no mistake that sarcasm has a place and can be extremely funny, but it must not belittle anyone.
Once again thanks to all of you.
I had the opportunity to talk to Ken at CycleX and we touched on this exact question. He said he would prefer not to. But, he was working with, or knew of, a group of Harley guys who were doing hardware swap outs on a race engine, requiring the removal of the heads and reinstall. To save money, they used the same MLS head gasket over and over, many times, and didn't have any problems.  YMMV
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Offline Jerry Rxman Griffin aka MuthaF'er

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Re: MLS gaskit
« Reply #5 on: October 28, 2013, 11:57:39 AM »
Sure, unless it's jacked, why not. Only one way to find out  ;)
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Offline cbr954

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Re: MLS gaskit
« Reply #6 on: October 28, 2013, 02:00:44 PM »
I know automotive manufacturers that use MLS gaskets say one use only.  The sealing rings in the gaskets are compressed when they are installed.  I wouldn't reuse them.  JMO.
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Offline turboguzzi

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Re: MLS gaskit
« Reply #7 on: October 28, 2013, 02:55:25 PM »
Quote from: cbr954 on October 28, 2013, 02:00:44 PM
I know automotive manufacturers that use MLS gaskets say one use only.  The sealing rings in the gaskets are compressed when they are installed.  I wouldn't reuse them.  JMO.

well, that's exactly the point about them being made of steel: unlike copper or toer, they're springy and clamping them doesnt push past it's elastic point. am holding a used mls gaskets in my hands right now and i can claearly fill the sealing rings standing proud :)

have an mls in my racer, heads get opened and closed each session, no issues.
« Last Edit: October 28, 2013, 03:04:11 PM by turboguzzi »
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Offline Bailgang

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Re: MLS gaskit
« Reply #8 on: October 28, 2013, 04:13:17 PM »
Had to reuse the mls gasket on my 550 twice, not because I actually wanted to but was trying to keep cost down. Long story as to why I had to reuse it but didn't have any problems and as Don R said you can go with a thinner gasket. CycleX gave me 2 choices in regards to thickness, a standard thickness .040" gasket or a .030" gasket. I opted for the .030 to kick my compression just a bit. The mls gasket is more expensive but I felt it was well worth it in my case.
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Offline Don R

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Re: MLS gaskit
« Reply #9 on: October 29, 2013, 10:35:45 AM »
I've reused them once in my 14.5 to one compression 4.61 bore big block. Other guys re-use them repeatedly.
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Offline 74750k4

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Re: MLS gaskit
« Reply #10 on: October 29, 2013, 11:27:15 AM »
I have a used one, and a new one. I will measure the compression sealing areas, and see how much they get compressed.
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Offline Tintop

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Re: MLS gaskit
« Reply #11 on: October 29, 2013, 01:28:23 PM »
Quote from: 74750k4 on October 29, 2013, 11:27:15 AM
I have a used one, and a new one. I will measure the compression sealing areas, and see how much they get compressed.

Subscibed.  Be interested to hear what you find. 
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Offline 74750k4

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Re: MLS gaskit
« Reply #12 on: November 01, 2013, 02:52:43 PM »
I'll try to make that measurement on Saturday.
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Offline fang

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Re: MLS gaskit
« Reply #13 on: November 02, 2013, 09:23:21 AM »
Quote from: turboguzzi on October 28, 2013, 02:55:25 PM
am holding a used mls gaskets in my hands right now and i can claearly fill the sealing rings standing proud :)

I guess that explains your striking prowess at the keyboard....

<3 fang
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Offline 74750k4

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Re: MLS gaskit
« Reply #14 on: November 02, 2013, 12:25:30 PM »
Results of measurements:

New MLS:

Flat areas = .039"
Raised areas = .069"

Used MLS:

Flat areas = .040"
Raised areas = .049"

So about .020 crush after use. Still around .009 left, that might seal enough.
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