i have a coolant leak coming from the water outlet housing so i replaced the gasket and it seemed to work for a while but after a couple short drives it was leaking again.

im not sure but will a sealant help? if so what kind of sealant would you guys suggest??

Is it a stock waterneck or aftermarket?

If its a stock, cast type try using some fine sand paper to clean the bottom. Install another clean gasket and use either blue sealant or "The right stuff" sealant lightly on both sides of the gasket. Allow as much time as you can (up to 24 hours) to dry. I usually try for ATLEAST one hour.

If it's an aftermarket one check for two things. If it uses an o-ring do NOT use a gasket, just use the o-ring. If it's a cheap chrome one, take a fine file and make a couple light passes on the mating surface to make sure the surface is flat. I've found alot of the cheap ones to be pretty uneven and you'll notice a pattern if you use the file.

i just have a chrome one and i dont think there was an o-ring plus i pulled out an old worn out gasket when i replaced it. i'll go take a file to it and try to find some sealant. i'll return with the results either today or tomorrow

thanks

I'm a Olds guy, and so many Olds guys try to use the aftermarket chrome housings, and they have problems with it sealing. I bet the Chevy one are the same problem. I would file the face flat, and check the grove where the thermostate sets, not all rusted, and use a good gasket, and put silicon on both sides of the gasket,not much,just enought to cover, and if you can let it set over nite that is also better.

Mopar ones are even worse. I've been trying to get the t-stat housing on the Cuda and the CHarger to seal for MONTHS!! For the Cuda, the only way I finally got it to seal was use a blue Fel Pro gasket and silicone BOTH sides of the gasket and let it set up.

If you want to cure that leak once and for all, throw that chrome POS in the trash and get a cast iron one, problem solved.

I have a chrome neck and it has an O-Ring. I can also say that I installed in once in the late 90s and it hasnt leaked since. Have had it off a few times since then and still no leaks. Not all chrome water necks are junk.

i didnt have time to retrieve any sealant due to loads of humanities homework but i did get to sand it down a bit. i was sure it would work...not. so silicone sealants are ok to use?

Dry it up and RTV it. That way it'll contour to the imperfections on the chrome piece.

I use Edelbrock's Gasgacinch to glue the gasket to the housing and rtv sealant between the intake and gasket. Just swab the Gasgacinch on the housing and on one side of the gasket and let dry until it it tacky then attach the two so the Gasgacinch meets. Then rtv the intake opening for the thermostat, bolt it up and wipe off the excess rtv. I usually use the orange rtv to match the color of the paint, but I hear nothing but good things about "the Right Stuff". 64elkynss

a good gasket, a flat surface, and a tube of "The Right Stuff" will solve this problem.

Carquest has a new gooseneck gasket. I installed a new (Robert Shaw) thermostat and said, What the He!! so I got one. It is like foam or something. Goes on DRY and it works just fine. Cost is around $ 6.00.
Price is high------ BUT IT WORKS.
Just another avenue to think about.
Bob:thumbsup:

My cheap parts store housing works like a charm and hasnt leaked a drop so I agree that not all chrome housings are crap.