There is only one time where it is theoretically possible to re-use a head gasket.

* Clean all mating surfaces, how to clean cylinder head surface, how to clean cylinder block surface
* A new gasket has just been installed.
* It has been torqued to the two pre-load levels, NOT the final angle setting.
* The engine has not been run, (some people fail to angle torque the head bolts, run and blow the new gasket).

If the gasket has been fully torqued = it can not be removed and re-used.

Once the engine has been run, the bolts can be re-torqued, but the gasket can never be used again.



FYI general web data:
how to torque a cylinder head
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&rls=com.microsoft%3Aen-us&q=how+to+torque+a+cylinder+head&btnG=Search&aq=f&aqi=&oq=



Have a great day.

__________________
ASE Master Mechanic

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