Reusing a Cometic HG, tips & tricks wanted.

[86Shelby]

I have two used TIII Cometics sitting in the garage all wrapped up. One was used for about 10k, the other about 200 miles. I wiped them off and then wrapped them in plastic when I took them out. What do I need to do to reuse the low mileage one? It's been stored for a little over 4 years like this. I didn't bother reusing it when I swapped the head since I had a Mopar piece in my stash. Now that the Mopar pieces are NS1 I'm willing to look into reusing what I have.

[turbovanman²]

I just use black engine paint-clean them up so they aren't oily, coat the living crap out of it with paint, let dry, install, torque, have fun.

[bakes]

I just use black engine paint-clean them up so they aren't oily, coat the living crap out of it with paint, let dry, install, torque, have fun.

and Add Iron Tight to the cooling system for the extra sealing

http://www.irontite.com/

[turbovanman²]

and Add Iron Tight to the cooling system for the extra sealing

+2...

[DOHCRT]

Simon, Do you just coat the upper and lower surfaces? What about in between the layers? Can a Cometic be used with an o-ringed block?

[A.J.]

I reused a SOHC Cometic gasket. I even used it on a different engine than what I originally installed it on. I used cooper spray and ARP head studs. Both my head and block were resurfaced. It's been on since March 2008. I made 2 trips to Oklahoma from Arizona, many trips prairie dog hunting (3 hour drive away pulling a pretty steep grade), and plenty of trips down the track with 20 lbs of boost and no problems. I'll will be reusing a 16v Cometic once I get an engine apart I'm doing for a customer.

I don't like sealing products that you put in the cooling system. They make a mess of the cooling system and are near impossible to get out once you finally fix the problem. Keep this in mind, how does the sealant know the difference between an actual leak and a metered leak that your radiator cap provides?

A.J.

[black86glhs]

The nano bots tell it where to go. I thought you were a sci-fi geek, A.J.?
LOL.
It's red paint Simon. That is why you aren't faster.:thumbup:

[A.J.]

The nano bots tell it where to go. I thought you were a sci-fi geek, A.J.?

I guess my customers go cheap and get the stop leak without nano bot technology.

A.J.

[lengel]

I drill out the rivets, clean each layer, spray each layer with permatex copper spay-a-gasket, and assemble. I have reused a cometic 4 or 5 useing this method with no problems. I am sure there are other ways that will work, this is just what I do.

Adam

[Pat]

I drill out the rivets, clean each layer, spray each layer with permatex copper spay-a-gasket, and assemble. I have reused a cometic 4 or 5 useing this method with no problems. I am sure there are other ways that will work, this is just what I do.

Adam

I did the same thing on two of mine...never had an issue, including on my Shadow's GRM motor which was beaten mercilessly.

[turbovanman²]

Simon, Do you just coat the upper and lower surfaces? What about in between the layers? Can a Cometic be used with an o-ringed block?

I just spray in between. I switched to paint as that's what the OE's use and it works.

I don't like sealing products that you put in the cooling system. They make a mess of the cooling system and are near impossible to get out once you finally fix the problem. Keep this in mind, how does the sealant know the difference between an actual leak and a metered leak that your radiator cap provides?

A.J.

I didn't until I tried that stuff, it works with heat and air. I've checked my cooling system cold and there is no mess.

I had to use it as my cometic started to leak a few months ago and I wasn't changing it out, I've reused this one something like 6 or 7 times, anyhow, after sitting overnight, it would miss for a few seconds when first started and the coolant level was dropping, found the Iron-tite by a fluke and every Cometic gasketed engine will get that stuff now, its wicked stuff.

[86Shelby]

Thanks for the tips guys, I appreciate it. Hopefully it will be all back together by SDAC

[shackwrrr]

I want hear more about this paint vs copper spray thing.

[A.J.]

I want hear more about this paint vs copper spray thing.

I would say the copper spray would be better to use because it stays tacky longer than the paint, so when you install it the copper spray will squeeze into the scratches and fill them where the paint won't.

A.J.

[22shelby]

it was explaind to me from Flat out group tha because of the 3 different metals coming together will cause electrolysis... thus the copper spray eliminats this... not sure if paint has that same property but if Simons doing it, it must work

i have used this method on a cometics and have retorqued it 5 times with studs... no problems... oh yeah and ill also advise to drill out the rivits and spray each layer

[turbovanman²]

I want hear more about this paint vs copper spray thing.

I would say the copper spray would be better to use because it stays tacky longer than the paint, so when you install it the copper spray will squeeze into the scratches and fill them where the paint won't.

A.J.

it was explaind to me from Flat out group tha because of the 3 different metals coming together will cause electrolysis... thus the copper spray eliminats this... not sure if paint has that same property but if Simons doing it, it must work

i have used this method on a cometics and have retorqued it 5 times with studs... no problems... oh yeah and ill also advise to drill out the rivits and spray each layer

If you look at OE gaskets, they are covered in Paint, NOT copper spray, so they must be on too something.

Paint flows into crevices too, just liberally apply a few coats and I install it wet after the last coat.

I've used the recent Cometic probably a 8 or 9 times but its finally starting to leak, hence the Irontite. My last Cometic I tried with copper spray, only got to reuse it once.

[A.J.]

If you look at OE gaskets, they are covered in Paint, NOT copper spray, so they must be on too something.

Right, but what kind of paint. Off the shelf stuff available to you and me or something special.

A.J.

[turbovanman²]

Right, but what kind of paint. Off the shelf stuff available to you and me or something special.

A.J.

I was told by a tech sponsored by HRC years ago, its simple engine paint.

I just reused some MLS head gaskets in a high mile 2.7 Dodge V6 out of a Sebring, budget engine work, cleaned, resprayed with engine paint, good as new. If you look at OE gaskets, it looks like paint.

I know it works for me, some like copper spray, so there is more than one way to skin a cat,

[A.J.]

I was told by a tech sponsored by HRC years ago, its simple engine paint.

Well that is just too damn simple.

A.J.

[turbovanman²]

Well that is just too damn simple.

A.J.

LOL, to change phrase around, "simple is as simple does"