I've been using the 17048s for five years now on SC 502s running about 5# of boost. Never had a problem. If something works for you, don't mess with it!

Yes I reused one head last year only had approx 20
hours on it prior.

I called Cometic and got there approval first.
Blown 10 lbs boost. Going Strong!

Gerry

Hey Cole-one just use more of the RTV silicone, works great!!!

i have reused mine on a blower motor ran one year pulled them down cleaned them and put them back on the next year no problems so far i was told by a promod engine builder they reuse them as long as the black is still on them i dont think i will do it a third time though that may be pushing it

That style gasket has been around for many years and I believe it came from overseas on high performance motors weather it be bikes or cars.
I think the biggest issue on reusing it is to make sure none of the coating is coming off, If it is you will see shiny spots on the dark colored surface. This usually happens between the cyl on the thinnest part. If you see this don't reuse them. These gaskets are put on dry and the surface needs to be flat and have a smooth RA number like Strip said.

Cometic will tell you they are re-usuable. They have a minimum thickness dimension, when they are not compressed. They will have you measure the gasket thickness between cylinders and if it is more than "x" they claim you should be ok. The minimums vary with gaskets I believe. I was going to try it and decided to anti up for new ones. Just too darn much work pulling things back apart! Give them a call.

I agree with you Bob. There is no way I'm going to take a chance at reusing the gaskets to save a few $$.

been running my for over a year after using them for the second time no leaks exclent leak down #s and no water in the oil and this is on a 540 with 7 lbs. boost 8.6 comp. timing at 30 no problems

Just pulled down my 540 blower motor a few weeks ago,felpro's still looked new after 2 years,130 hours as much as 12lbs boost but normally 9lbs,Smitty
I wish the Cloyes hex adjust true rollertiming chain,j/e blower pistons and comp magnum hyd roller lifter's still looked as good (they are all either marginal or junk!

Heres some more info I found

502 hp 500 head gasket 17048 is the same as the 1045 with a bore of 4.550

The 17049 if for a 4.630
Both of theses are for a gen 5 and 6

The intake gasket on a 502 carbed gen 5 -17341 is the same as a 1274 that has the upper bolt holes.

The 17342 intake gasket is for the efi gen 5 and 6 it the same as a 1275 with out the bolt holes


The top end rebuilt kit [head set] is
17249 gen 5 that comes with a 1274 intake that will not work on a 500hp carbed because of the dart intake .

the 17281 is a gen 5 efi set

the 17207 in the gen 6 set like on my 500 efi .

Hope this helps?

Rob