The factory put millions of thermostat housings on millions of water pumps/intake with nothing more than a paper gasket. Either your housing is junk or the mating surface on the water pump/intake is messed up.

If you NEED anything other than a paper gasket to seal then fix the problem. If you feel you need anything else for "peace of mind" then fine, but it's not the problem. It's like taking aspirin because you have a nail in your head.

They say there are no such thing as a stupid question.
They say there is always the exception that proves the rule.
Don't be the exception.