Why do I even bother with these aftermarket.....!!!!

Big block thermostat housings.

Fired up the 440 Sixpack for the first time in the 71 R/T Challenger.

All in all eveything went very well.
The carbs reminded me that you always need to check for leaks at the fuel lines, but that was a quick and easy fix.

Ran the engine, got the timing set and everything sounded great(especially with open headers)

Ran it for awhile to get some temp in it.
The engine has always ran very cool so it took awhile to get it warm, I thought I was in the clear with any leaks...then I noticed coolant weeping under the rear of the the housing.
Tried to tighten the bolts down but I don't think that will work.

It's the thick Milidon housing that some have had success with.
I used a new gasket with some Indian Head shellac for sealer...maybe that was my mistake.
I've NEVER had any luck with these POS aftermarket housings.

So I'm very happy with everything except the housing...I should have known better.
It sure was nice to DRIVE the car into the garage instead of pushing it like I've done for soo many years.

So time to drain the coolant and try again.
I'm not sure if I'm gonna try to seal it or go back to my tried and true stock housing.

Any suggestions?

Quote:

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Any suggestions?

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with it clamped upside down with a rag in a vise, drawfile it to remove the chrome/level the gasket surface. Might drawfile the stat neck on the pump housing also (put a rag inside to keep filings out) but very likely the issue is the chrome itself on the stat housing & less likely is it being slightly warped, just not completely flat but drawfiling takes care of both. The sides and top (that you can see) will still be shiney chrome so all is good in the 'hood

KillerBee,

i used to work for a major gasket company for many years in their aftermarket engineering group. We always heard and knew that chrome surfaces were undesirable for sealing any kind of gaskets. Best recommendation was always to advise the installer to scrape away the chrome where ever the gasket was needed to seal. Adding chemical sealants invites other issues, such as potential for gasket to split upon clampdown -- RTV being the worst and mis-used chemical. Surface flatness and clean clamp threadings are critical.

Toss it and use a factory piece... Chrome is soooo 1990's bro.

Thanks for all the suggestions and opinions.

I'm going to sandblast and paint the factory one then pull off the Milidon one and check it out closely.

I'm leaning towards the factory one but the shiny one sure was perdy.

I am old school and Permatex #2 has always worked well for me.