Re-using head gaskets

Hi guys, I have replaced a head gasket on my 19J TD. It has been torqued down but I have not warned the engine up. Can I reuse it?

I need to remove the cam to inspect as i can not start the car due to timing alignment issues

no once its crushed its knackered! should have done all the jobs before puting it back together

yeah, head gaskets cant be re-used.

I'll come give you a hand with the timing if you want, but its a long way for me to come!

I'll add the gasket to my list of parts!

Thanks for the offer Boydy.

if its timing problems why ya got to take the head off again?

if the valves are hitting take the rocker shaft off

Read his timing problems thread -methinks hes got a bit confuzzled.

judging by his username he should have known this answer.

i was wondering raz

Hi Ian and Raz, The last action i have is to look for a timing dot on the crank pulley, (which Boydy kindly advised). If there is a dot on the crank pulley and i am able to time the engine, then all is well, (i will have learnt abit more) and thanks to Boydy!).

However, if there is not a dot on the crank pulley or there is and it comfirms that the engine is at TDC when the key ways are lined up with the casing arrow, then given all else has been checked what choise do i have next but to remove the cam shaft for inspection?

Put another way, does any one know? when lining up the pulleys to except a new timing belt, is the crank normally at TDC?

What was this engine doing before you started al this work? Did it run, or do I remember correctly that you recently posted saying it had dropped the timing belt?

When I was doing mine, I lined up all the dots, arrows and marks, slid the belt on, tensioned it up and away it went.

Have you seen all the rockers MOVE when you turned the cam over?

To time these engines up, the crank, as far asI know, shouldn't be at TDC - the dot is offset from this to allow clearance on the open valves.