thermostat gasket adhesive

[torcano]

The MerCruiser service manual for my 4.3L MPIs states that a gasket adhesive should not cover the continuity rivets on the gasket or else it will intefere with the overheat alarm. Does this mean to put the gasket without any adhesive or just avoid adhesive near the rivets?

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: thermostat gasket adhesive

If you have the gasket, you don't need adhesive. The gasket will make the seal, if you torque it properly.
BTW, the connectivity rivets are a JOKE. I ran mine for years with just RTV as the gasket, and the one time it overheated, the alarm went off, just like it was supposed to.

 

[gadget73]

Re: thermostat gasket adhesive

I don't use adhesive on mine, haven't had one leak yet. If it seeps a bit, snug the bolts down a little bit more. Ensuring the gasket surfaces are clean and flat are key to making the seal though. I scrape mine with a razor, and if it still looks bad I'll sand it with a block until its smooth and flat.

One other tip, be sure the bolt holes in the manifold are clean before running the bolts back in. I made that mistake once and had to buy a new intake because I broke a chunk out of the old one due to crud in the holes. I also like to coat the bolts with some anti-seize compound to help keep them from seizing to the housing.