Thanks for the response Phil. I'm not sure if the gaskets become work hardened from the tightening/compression process, but I suppose annealing then wouldn't hurt anything. I think I would be more concerned about whether or not the raised (embossed ) sealing surfaces are still effective after the gaskets have been compressed. I suppose I can just give it a try. What's the worse that could happen.....just a few more skinned knuckles and an increase in my profanity vocabulary
Ted