Thermostat Assembly Question-gctid810963

[Castaway]

Good morning everyone. It's been a while.

7.4, Bravo 2, Full-closed cooling. Last year I drained my coolant to accomplish some maintenance. After I reassembled it, I had an issue with getting a little dribble of coolant around one of the bolt heads. It wasn't much of a leak, so I lived with it. I had sealed the bolt threads with thread sealer with PTFE, the same stuff I used to seal the head bolts. Mercruiser specs that for head bolts and I figured it would work fine for the thermostat bolts also. I also never replaced the thermostat while I had it apart last year and because I wasn't sure of its age, I decided to replace it this year.

Question 1: The thermostat I purchased came with several gaskets and an o-ring. I already purchased the gaskets I need (shown) for my "thermostat sandwich" but I'm wondering now if I should be using either the round cork gasket and/or the O-ring that came with the thermostat. My hunch is that I shouldn't. I did not see one when I removed it last year.

Question 2: What product should I use the seal the bolt threads? I have Permatex Aviation Form-a Gasket (the brown stinky stuff) and every other kind of sealer known to man.

[builderdude]

The gaskets that came with the t stat are likely included to fit multiple applications. Use the gaskets that you specifically purchased for your "housing sandwich", IMO the aviation permatex or permatex #1 or #2 is all good stuff to use, might not come apart later on down the road but it won't leak either.

[Castaway]

Thanks Builderdude. Are you in the water this year yet?

[builderdude]

Yup, was actually in at the end of last season twice (total teaser) Been out for three good "hard" runs so far this season and starting a 3 day trip to San juans Sunday :woohoo:

[Castaway]

I remember your video from you first run last year. Have fun on your trip.