OK, so I thought I had a lower o-ring on my waterpump going out but it's the t-stat housing/seal that is leaking. I ordered the billet style from Bob at Dieselsite and will grab a OEM T-stat from the dealer this week. What is the final procedure to seal up the billet housing to the waterpump? I've read so much but I cannot understand the final answer. Thanks again everyone!

 

Stuff a rag in the neck, completely sealing it. Get a file and true up the mounting surface where the housing mounts. Vacuum all the particles out of the rag and remove the rag. RTV the housing, let it set up a little bit, then install it in your truck.

Or you can just RTV the housing and forget the filing part.

Stewart

 

The manual says 15 ft/lbs for those three small bolts. Make sure they are all torqued the same so the o-ring seals evenly. I have only used the stock housing and have never had it be the cause for a leak and I use no type of rtv/sealant.

 

Like Robin says......even torque applied will help the seal seat properly.

 

I use Right stuff gasket maker which is a rubber based gasket in a pressurized can. It works great, and can be put back into service immediately. Make sure you get the NEW Ford thermo which has an updated gasket with that is formed onto both sides of the thermostat. Makes the square cut gasket and leaks obsolete as the new design sandwiches the gasket on either side!

 

i also suggest the right stuff gasket maker in the pressurized can. it awesome and sets in like 5 minutes........

 

I resealed my stock housing with a new O-ring and blue RTV when I did my water pump. Evenly torqued the bolts too. Zero leaks...

 

Or you can just get a new OE housing and skip the RTV. The new housing and stat I got sealed up very nicely.

 

Sometimes that doesn't work when using the Dieselsite billet aluminum housing, according to some who have reported leaking.

I consider myself lucky. Years ago when I did the water pump on my Ex and put on the billet housing, I did the even torque method and my housing doesn't leak.

I do need to take mine off though to swap in a stock thermo for the 203* degree I have in there now. When I do, I'll probably use RTV when I put it back together.

Stewart

 

Another DS billet user here, with the *203. That billet housing DS sells is a nice compliment to you motor compartment Chris but mine did seep two times until I black hi-temp Permatex'ed it, not one leak since.. You'll be happy..

 

I just checked my old one to make sure the bottom was flat and even, wire brushed (they get plenty funky), painted and re-installed.

 

I basicly did the same thing, but added a small amount of RTV on the w/p housing where the t-stat housing sits (none on the gasket). I have the 195* Motorcraft t-stat with the updated gasket.

 

Heres the difference between the two, stock versus DieselSite's housings in case anybody was wondering. This is the rustic mess Robin speaks of. Don't mind the date on the pic, the date got screwed up.

 

This is the condition of my current housing. It's amazing that it still holds water under pressure. So black permatex and even torque is the best bet?

 

Yep, you'll be golden just make sure to just get it on the mating surfaces, around the ends not near the gaskets. I also let the truck sit overnite to cure so there was any coolant mixing up with the Permatex.....