Persistent leak with paper gasket and form a gasket #2

[azheat112]

I replaced the thermostat in my 25hp 1997 evinrude outboard and I have a leak just below the thermostat on the water jacket cover. I first tried just using the paper gasket without gasket sealer and had a small leak just below the thermostat. It says to use both a paper gasket and sealer but I wanted to try just the gasket. Second try I used both the paper gasket and permatex #2 build a gasket non hardening gasket maker. I have a leak in the same spot again. Used a wire brush on the engine side and a wire wheel for the cover plate. Both surfaces are smooth. Any ideas on what product to use to stop the leak? I might need a new paper gasket at this point I’ll find out shortly but is there anything I can put on the gasket that is better than the build a gasket? Thank you

 

[tphoyt]

Permatex ultra black and a new paper gasket. Let it cure for 24 hours before starting.

 

[ct1762@gmail.com]

the water jacket covers always warp. i put them down on a hard surface and smack it with a hammer to get it strait. learned this from an OMC master tech a few years ago. works like a charm as long as its under .004''.

 

[RBoyd1971]

I had one like this that was leaking and as soon as I run it in the Muddy Mississippi river it stopped leaking. Seems fine silt is an excellent stop leak.

 

[flyingscott]

Are youbtightening the bolts from the middle out? Are you using a good quality gasket?