Thermostat gasket

A GASKET WOULD BE THE WAY TO GO

ON FLAT PAPER GASKETS I COAT BOTH SIDES WITH "INDIAN HEAD" OR "GASKET SHELLAC" (SAME THING, 1st ONE IS A BRAND NAME)

GIVING YOU A PIC AT THE BOTTOM, USING IT ON MY JEEP'S TIMING CHAIN COVER GASKET

SILICONE OR RVT USUALLY GETS OVER USED ON GASKETS AND THE "EXTRA" GETS INTO THE ENGINE AND MAY CAUSE PROBLEMS (IT DOES HAVE IT'S PLACE THOUGH)

IF YOU WANNA SEE WHAT HAPPENS WITH OVER USE. SEE MY ANSWERS IN THIS LINK

https://www.2carpros.com/questions/1992-jeep-wrangler-40l-squealing-noise-coming-from-transmission-or-transfercase

RULE OF THUMB WITH YOUR QUESTION- IF IT HAD A GASKET TO BEGIN WITH, USE ONE BACK!

I HOPE THIS HELPS

THE MEDIC

Real technicians do not use Indian Head for anything any more. That lost popularity in the 60's. That stuff hardens like a rock and causes more problems to get it off than it helps in the first place. If the thermostat actually uses a gasket and not an O-ring like many do now, the ideal method is to use a spray tack on the removable housing and attach the gasket to it. Then use a light coat of silicone on the engine side of the gasket. That way it seals good and when removed, the surface can be cleaned up easily.