Question about leaking thermostat housing

[Yellowpnoy]

I bought a chrome FRPP water neck for my car during the rebuild. I can not get this thing to stop leaking. Someone told me to use RTV on the both sides of the gaskets and it will stop for sure. I have never had this much trouble getting one to seal. I checked for cracks in the housing and on the intake and there are none to be found. I dont want to spend $100 on a water neck with an o-ring, is it safe to use RTV on this? Thanks!

Anthony

 

[red95gtconvert]

Oh no it's the infamous FRPP leaky waterneck problem, you can try RTV on both sides of the gasket and see if that will help, if not I would just put your old one on and call it a day. The FRPP waternecks are known to be problematic.

 

[rmsample]

water neck

yes, blue rtv. first make sure both surfaces are very clean. a razor blade clamped in some vise grips makes a good scraper tool if you dont have one. apply said goop to both mating surfaces, let it set for about 90 seconds, then apply the gasket to one side. work it around a little with your thumbs (messy i know) in a circular motion to push out any possible air bubbles in rtv, then slap her on there. oh ya dont over tighten the bolts, maybe some anti sieze would be in order cuz those aluminum threads are finicky. wipe off excess goop. let the whole thing set for a couple minutes before topping off anitfreeze. good luck!

 

[Yellowpnoy]

Thanks for the help! I had a feeling that someone would say that they are prone to leaking, seems like everything that i bought for this thing i had to buy twice. Thanks again!

Anthony

 

[wythors]

I just got rid of my second one. Years ago, the first one wouldn't let the Goodyear Hi-Miler bypass hose seal properly, so I sold it a long time ago. When I did my H/C/I project last fall I decided to try another one. This one fit fine and all, but I could never get the threaded fitting on top to stop leaking. I tried teflon tape, silicone and even plumber's putty. Nothing would make it stop. Just a constant slow ooze. I ended up polishing the stock aluminum piece and eBaying the FRPP part.

 

[Georgie]

get a gasket for it..they sell them at 50 resto... i made my own with a thin sheet of rubber, works great. did the same for my shifter, never had a problem

 

[bullitstang1313]

RTV and a gasket, let it sit to dry, top her off with coolant, and she should be good to go.

 

[TomCat]

It could be warped. I had a chrome one... I think from Spectre (blech) and its mating surface was uneven. It wouldn't stop leaking period. Now I have some parts store one that looks like **** cause it's rusted, lol. At least it hold coolant, though

 

[Yellowpnoy]

Alright, thanks for all the replies. I guess i will get another one,i dont even need the heater bypass because i have no heat or a/c in the car. I will just get one without that provision.

Anthony

 

[4G-KDMP]

if you don't want to use the heater tube why not have someone weld up the hole your stock housing?

 

[Yellowpnoy]

I dont have the stock housing anymore...threw it out when i got the new one. Wish i hadnt done that.

 

[tmoss]

get another stock housing........