I picked up a pack of NOS motorcraft gaskets. Saw that they're just thin brown paper so I wasn't sure how good they'd work. So first question, do they work at all? I used one as a template and made a gasket out of modern gasket material. I haven't started the car yet, only filled it with fluid and it's leaking. Not a lot, just a small 1x3" puddle develops every time I wipe it up.

Any tricks to seal these? I have a second piece of gasket material, I could try cutting a new one, maybe I didn't do a good enough job the first time.

They can be tricky. First, I would make sure that both surfaces, the T-Stat housing and the surface on the intake manifold are very clean and FLAT. To make sure the surface of the T-Stat housing is flat, I use a flat piece of metal and put a piece of 400 grit emery on top and rub the housing across it until it has a uniform sheen on the gasket surface. you can do the same with a sanding block on the intake. Once you are sure the surfaces are clean and flat I use Aviation Permatex with a brush and put thin coats on both surfaces of the paper gasket. Let it set-up for a minute or two and then install and torque to spec. Make sure the thermostat is facing the correct way. Hope this helps.
Rono 

  Ron Lane,  Meridian, ID

I like to,use the orange/copper high temp silicone for a sealant.  As was mentioned, make sure the intake and housing faces are squeaky clean.  The thermostat goes into the housing first, then the gasket.

I use Fel Pro gaskets which are readily available.  They are not thick but they work.

On all the  engines  I have I have put studs in the intake to hold the housing.  It makes it much easier to line up the housing to the intake and the sealer does not get messed up.


54 Victoria 312;  48 Ford Conv 302, 56 Bird 312
Forever Ford
Midland Park, NJ

I've used Permatex with all gaskets with great results for over 30 years.


~DJ~ AKA "Bleach"
1956 Ford Fairlane Town Sedan 30K original miles

The thin gaskets works fine if the surface is clean. Most common problem I've had for a leak is the thermostat slipping out of its groove. Chuck

Y's guys rule!
Looking for McCullouch VS57 brackets and parts. Also looking for 28 Chrysler series 72 parts. And early Hemi parts.

MoonShadow, 292 w/McCulloch, 28 Chrysler Roadster, 354 Hemi)
Manchester, New Hampshire

I pulled the housing off, did I put the gasket on in the wrong order? I'm looking at it overlapping the thermostat and wondering if the order should be housing - gasket - thermostat as compared to how I did it which was housing - thermostat- gasket. You see how the gasket is overlapping the lip of the thermostat, also remember I cut that gasket myself so I might have cut it a little off.

There is a groove in the water neck where the thermostat sits. Then the gasket goes on overlapping the outer rim of the thermostat. I use a little gasket sealer to help hold the thermostat and gasket in place. It's easy to have the thermostat move while you are installing it. Make sure it stays in the groove. Chuck

Y's guys rule!
Looking for McCullouch VS57 brackets and parts. Also looking for 28 Chrysler series 72 parts. And early Hemi parts.

MoonShadow, 292 w/McCulloch, 28 Chrysler Roadster, 354 Hemi)
Manchester, New Hampshire