I am going to replace my valvesprings. original plans were to break it in with the old springs but ive decided otherwise. the engine is still on the stand never ran. if I pull the heads can I reuse the headgaskets ? common sense says no. also does anybody see a issue with using the isky 6005 springs with the inner spring removed. My cam and RPM dont need that much pressure plus the guide bosses may need cut to clear the inner springs according to isky.

Thanks,Kenny

Kenny  Onalaska, Texas

Hi Kenny,  You don't need to pull your heads to change the springs.  I think you are correct in just using the outer Isky springs.  You can buy a valve spring compressor from the local auto parts, get the kind that you can use a ratchet or wrench on.  Not the kind that you have to crank with your bare hand.  Then you can use compressed air with a fitting in the spark plug hole to keep the valves from falling down.  If you don't have compressed air available, you can get the piston of each cylinder up close to TDC and then stuff rope into the plug hole to keep the valves from falling down.  Either way, be sure to have some break-in additive in your oil, like ZDDP or Comp Cams break-in additive.  You can probably go to the Isky web site and get the specs for your outer springs.  If not, when you have one removed, take it to your local speed shop and they should have a valve spring measuring device.  They can compress it and give you the open and closed pressure.  You should give them the lift of your camshaft and the closed spring height, something like 1 13/16" if I remember right.  Hope this makes sense, Nick Brann- K.C., MO  P.S.  The last time I pulled a head and resued the gasket was in the 50's on my 1950 Willys Jeepster F head 4-cylinder.  I put the head back on and the gasket held just fine.