Head gasket ruined?

[ROCK HARVEY]

I’m doing some work on my truck, including head gaskets, and at the end of a long hot day I realized I torqued down one of the heads without checking whether I put the gasket on right side up or not. I’m definitely pulling the head off again to make sure, but is the head gasket OK to flip and re-use?

Thankfully it’s the passenger side which is way easier to remove and re-install

 

[IDIBRONCO]

Before you do that, look closely along the bottom edge. I've seen some with "up" or something along those lines written right there. It may save you from having to R&R the head again.

 

[ROCK HARVEY]

I don’t see anywhere where the gasket sticks out enough to have markings on it, but looking closely at the edges of the two head gaskets I do believe it’s installed upside down. I guess I had a 50/50 chance and didn’t get lucky.

I’m leaning towards buying a new gasket rather than flipping one that’s already been compressed. I’m in this deep already and I’d hate to have to tear it all apart again because I cheaped out on a $40 gasket.

 

[Nero]

Head gaskets are one time crush. Once you unbolt them they're done.

I think the gaskets only go on one way though

 

[ROCK HARVEY]

It did turn out to be upside down. Thankfully I was able to get another gasket locally and everything is torqued down again. Thanks guys!

 

[Nero]

Safe than sorry, glad you got it right!