(Rant) Thermostat Housing Leaks...

My intake was pitted from decades of leaking.

I bought a aftermarket factory style housing

I used a Real Gasket and followed ALL the directions.

Not a drop in 5 years and I run a full pressure 16 lb cap.


One thing I did do was cleaned out the depth of the bolt holes.

I suspect sometimes the holes are full of crud and prevent the housing from being torqued to spec.

Also due to gorillas tightening bolts on older housings cracks might exist that are only visable when tightened.

Also I suspect that Most do not follow the directions on gasket sealers.


I too replaced a t stat housing and a water pump with stock parts.

I let everything setup overnight before adding g coolant no leaks, 96 318 with 250,000 miles, stamped steel t stat housing (new)