head swap question

[BELL]

just out of curiousity I'm pulling the head on my 86 SVO this weekend to replace the head gasket. its been a while since i was inside one of these. i'm just doing a straight swap. I have another head I'm putting in its place so the core can have big valves put in (this will be #2 big valve SVO). Anyway the head thats going back in the car is already assembled and ranger cam and rollers installed. I'm lazy, I cant remember if I can do it without having the yank the cam to get to the bolts?

 

[65ShelbyClone]

I didn't think the cam needed to be pulled out. After looking, I think I'm right.

http://www.85xr.com/esslinger.htm

 

[Pro-Hawk]

You can leave the cam in place and reach all the head boltd with no problems. Just keep an eye out on installing the new head as not to gash the new head gasket. I went though a few gaskets doing this swap

 

[BELL]

I will watch the gasket. secondly I used the felpro headgasket (i think it was the 1035) when I bolted this head to a short block, it hasnt been run. would i be good reusing the gasket? not really looking forward to buying another one

 

[65ShelbyClone]

it hasnt been run. would i be good reusing the gasket?

Only if you don't mind changing it a third time. Unfortunately head gaskets compress and don't come back.

 

[BELL]

thats what i thought