Exhaust manifold gaskets

[JakeGa]

I have located a used exhaust manifold for my 1997 4AFE Corolla. The old one has cracked completely in two. I am on a budget with this car and picked up the manifold for $35.00. My question is, can I reuse the metal gaskets from the old manifold or do I have to pop for new gaskets?

By the way, thank you to all of the contributors on this site. It has been an immense help while working on this car.

[trife96]

Originally Posted by JakeGa

I have located a used exhaust manifold for my 1997 4AFE Corolla. The old one has cracked completely in two. I am on a budget with this car and picked up the manifold for $35.00. My question is, can I reuse the metal gaskets from the old manifold or do I have to pop for new gaskets?

By the way, thank you to all of the contributors on this site. It has been an immense help while working on this car.

These gaskets can be reused...and I'm not sure how much they are. They are prolly cheap and some people will prolly say you should change them. I've reused mine quite few times tho. And no issues

[Halitech]

I just an engine swap and the engine that had 327Km on it, the gaskets were toast. The engine with 139km had a gasket that was in near perfect shape so I reused it and had no issues with an exhaust leak. Just look at it closely and make sure there is no cracks or dings in it.

[JakeGa]

Thanks guys.
This engine has 211,000 miles on it so I don't know what kind of shape the gaskets will be when removed. So far, despite the miles and years, the engine seems to be in good shape. To the best of my knowledge it has never been ran hot so the valves appeared nice and shiny new when I removed the valve cover to replce the gasket. Gives me a little hope for a few thousand more miles out of her before an engine change. I tend to drive them until they die.

[Halitech]

if you look after it, it should last a long time. I had an 81 Starlet years ago and it had over 500,000 on it and was still running fine when I sold it and all that was ever done to it was a water pump and oil changes/plugs and wires. Would still have it if the body hadn't gotten so bad on it

[speedy25]

Most of the time those metal gaskets survive a few uses. Even if it leaks, its not a big deal to swap in a fresh gasket later. OTOH- Dont do that with an intake manifold. If it leaks you have all sorts of goofy problems and a potential meltdown.

-SP