1976 Dart Overheating and other issues

Well, I decided to get outside and work on the car. I flushed the radiator and flushed the block best I could till it ran out clean water. Lots of crud and sand in there. Here is what the thermostat housing looks like. I’ll leave it soaking in wd40 overnight probably and clean it out tomorrow with simple green. I hope the car runs cooler once all is said and done. I also picked up new Continental upper end lower rad hoses and stant 195 thermostat. Scraping the old gasket off now.
Does the felpro thermostat gasket require sealant?

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