I draw file the wp housing(intake if SB) & the stat housing even if new, stock gasket, permatex #2 in the tube. no leaks.

Just throw the gasket/o-ring out and use ulta black rtv ( easy clean up ). or use the Right stuff ( not as easy to clean up ) if you have to take it apart ever. both work fine for this, just let it dry say for a hour before filling.

Checked the chrome housing and it was warped big time. Filed it down and it is pretty dang close to flat, at the least.

The WP housing seemed to be flat, so I just hit it a few strokes.

I do believe the problem may lie with the bolt holes in the WP housing. They looked to have been drilled too close together, hence the severe warping. I dremeled out the holes in the thermostat housing a hair and the bolts go in much easier.

We shall see if it works.

Never had a problem using master silicone sealer and no gasket and I have changed the thermo several times a year to keep the engine as close as I can to 185-200 dergrees when racing. Simple thing to remember if there is dirt or oil it will leak, if it is below 60 the housing will not seal as silicone does not set up well or at all at lower tempsIf you want it to set put a light bulb on the manifold for 1- 2 minutes that will generally do th trick if its cold I wave a propane torch over the man- housing and then apply remember the heat! on the fingers

Okay, I am no heavyweight on this BBS, but,

I had the same thing.

After many re and re's it turned out to be the amount of crap that had collected at the bottom of the housing bolt holes.

Crap would not let the bolts snug down enough.

Crazy, I know, but try it.

I went with a napa housing...heavy metal item...

NAPA has a catalog with an illustrations section showing a bunch of different ones in cast iron and aluminum. I've used them before on custom applications.

Rick

Thanx rick