383 thermostat housing

[olddog67]

My housing leaks between it and the dome. I took it off, took a flat file to it and the dome, used a new gasket (the gasket had a peel off paper with one side that sticks to housing or dome) silicone on both sides of the gasket, waited overnight until the silicone set up and the dam thing leaked worse.
Before putting it all back together I put the housing on a flat piece of steel and there is about a 1/32" gap, cant get a razor blade under it, and figured the silicone & gasket would fix that. Im scared to tighten it anymore in case the bolts break. What am I doing wrong here?

 

[hunt2elk]

I gave up on using gaskets long ago for t-stat housings, they always seemed to leak for me. A little copper silicone on each side of the stat and no more problems.

 

[miller]

Not particularly doing any thing wrong...but, get the crap silicone off.
If the gasket surface isn't flat, your spinning your wheels. Use your flat piece of steel, or something like it, sandpaper, and 'figure eight' the housing gasket surface, until it is flat.
The figure eight movement, while your sanding it, will keep the surface from rounding out.
Then, gasket with a good sealer, will fix you up.

 

[texas69bee]

No gasket!

 

[olddog67]

Thanks fellas, I picked up some of the Permatex gasket maker and I'll give it a try.

 

[texas69bee]

Thanks fellas, I picked up some of the Permatex gasket maker and I'll give it a try.

Make sure you read and follow the instructions on it. Let it set a bit before applying full torque.

 

[olddog67]

Will do sir!

Thanks again.

 

[Daves69]

Maybe it warped if the thermostat flange got under the housing flange and it was torqued down.
Make sure the thermostat fits in the housing.

 

[Car Nut]

I only use a gasket, no sealant. Fel-Pro - Water Outlet Gasket.

 

[69b3rt]

Those peal and stick thermostat gaskets are crap. The adhesive side of gasket separates and leaks. I use the Felpro gasket with a little bit of Permatex sealer.

 

[5.7 hemi]

I use a housing that has an "o" ring, problem solved.

 

[Dennis H]

Overpriced Mancini Billet housing finally solved mine. Chrome crap left me down on the road.