Leaking thermostat housing, best gasket???

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604

604

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I wonder if any one has found a good gasket that is less prone to leaking for these darn thermostat housings? Mine is bran new and leaks. It is driving me nuts! And I have a hard time swallowing the $100 price for the new "guaranteed not to leak" O ring housing. I am sure he has a lot of work in them, but dam $100 for that little thing. Thanks for any help!
 
I've heard that no gasket and the red high temp RTV silicon works well, but there are several opinions on that matter. Do you by any chance have the chrome thermostat housing? I know those are prone to leaks.

Check your manifold to ensure that the mating surface is flat. If need be, scratch up the gasket mating surfaces a little bit, cover the gasket in the red RTV, and torque it down. That should resolve the leaking issue, if the housing itself is indeed flat.
 
a couple things i have done. deck the intake side with a 100 grit block sander and make sure it is flat. do the same to the housing. i have had great success with no gasket and high temp orange permatex , a thin layer on both sides and let set up for about 15 minutes. i have also done the same with a gasket but you have to completely cover the surface area with the gasket sealer. do not over tighten the bolts as this will cause a slight warp. i also use good sized washers to distribute the pressure.
 
Thanks guys,
I do have a new chrome one. I did sand the intake side, but not the bottom of the new housing. I used ARP bolts and washers. I might try sanding the bottom of the housing and see if it helps.

I never thought I would say this,
But I am seriously thinking about that $100 O ring housing. LOL
www.terrysautolab.com
 
604 said:
Thanks guys,
I do have a new chrome one. I did sand the intake side, but not the bottom of the new housing. I used ARP bolts and washers. I might try sanding the bottom of the housing and see if it helps.
Click to expand...

i had my MP chrome housing off 2 or 3 times before i got mad enough to sand the crap out of the bottom of it on a block with 80 grit LOL, hasnt leaked in over a year.
 
Thanks! I will give it a try!

73AbodEE said:
i had my MP chrome housing off 2 or 3 times before i got mad enough to sand the crap out of the bottom of it on a block with 80 grit LOL, hasnt leaked in over a year.
Click to expand...
 
I got one of the chrome housings and it like most others, it leaked, so finally I removed it, and put it in my milling machine and milled the bottom surface flat. It was really uneven. I then reinstalled it with a new felpro blue gasket and it's been great.
 
mullinax95 said:
I really dont understand how the $100 one stops leaks. It still got to have a gasket in between then intake and thermostat (bottom section).
Click to expand...

i wouldnt spend 100 bucks on any regular duty housing. it would seem to me that once you smash the O ring down, you wouldnt be able to re-use it. ive never used one . i would rather put that 100 towards something more useful. IMO. seems to me that if you still have to use a gasket it would be defeating the purpose.
 
73AbodEE said:
i wouldnt spend 100 bucks on any regular duty housing. it would seem to me that once you smash the O ring down, you wouldnt be able to re-use it. ive never used one . i would rather put that 100 towards something more useful. IMO. seems to me that if you still have to use a gasket it would be defeating the purpose.
Click to expand...

Yep
I agree
 
Ehrenberg just did a commercial, um, I mean tech article on Terry's in the latest Mopar Action mag.....
 
I always use the gasket and put Indian Head Gasket Shellac on both sides. Hard to get back off sometimes-but has NEVER leaked. I use it on My duster, Porsche, 4 wheeler, etc. This stuff is at any parts store for $5??
 
You do not use a gasket. Just two orings. Which are replaceable. The show it all on the web sight and in the tec article. It is supper steep in price but I am sure it works. Looks to be a very well thought out part. And they use readily available orings. But I am going to consider that a last resort!!!!!!!!
 
Used to own a rad shop. Them chrome aftermarket housings were always uneven. after milling it down, check the level on a piece of glass like your front door or kitchen window. You will see if it is flat or not.
After that use Mr Gasket "Right Stuff"on the motor and the housing, install the gasket as the instructions call for and you will have no leaks.
 
Thanks! I will have to find some of that stuff!!!

Dorian said:
Used to own a rad shop. Them chrome aftermarket housings were always uneven. after milling it down, check the level on a piece of glass like your front door or kitchen window. You will see if it is flat or not.
After that use Mr Gasket "Right Stuff"on the motor and the housing, install the gasket as the instructions call for and you will have no leaks.
Click to expand...
 
Were do you find that sealer?? I could not find it on Summit.

Dorian said:
Used to own a rad shop. Them chrome aftermarket housings were always uneven. after milling it down, check the level on a piece of glass like your front door or kitchen window. You will see if it is flat or not.
After that use Mr Gasket "Right Stuff"on the motor and the housing, install the gasket as the instructions call for and you will have no leaks.
Click to expand...
 
Did that housing turn out nice? Can the O ring be replaced? Thanks!

Did it turn out nice? Looks a whole lot better than leaked antifreeze drying on the intake!
Can the O ring be replaced? I imagine so, but I haven't had to. Were I to need one in a hurry I'm not sure where I would start looking even.
C
 
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