I asked about replacing the gaskets at Pepboys and they looked at me like I was nuts. "Why open an engine that runs strong?" was their basic response. Is that replacement done as a preventative measure or is it more practical to wait for some signs of failure? Thanks for your help.

 

In one hand, if it's not broken, don't fix it.... In the other it does have 14 years of age on plastic gaskets.

And it's not really "opening up" the engine (not like you are doing new pistons or something). It's maybe a day project. If you do, you should get the fel-pro metal core LIM gaskets.

I would recommend getting a radiator pressure tester, hook it up, put some pressure to it (maybe 12 psi) and see if it holds. If it does hold, you should be fine (at that point depends how long you want to keep the car and if this is the peace of mind you need).