Thermostat Gasket?

[Otto Man]

Here I am getting ready to replace thermostat housing, thermostat and gasket(s), and the water pump.
I have two thermostat gaskets (FELPRO w and w/o sealant). Neither are a good fit by any means.

What is the right gasket?
Or should I just dremel the bolt holes to best fit?
Thanks

Chris

[MikeFleming]

They aren't a good fit but the two bolt holes usually line up.

You talking about that metal thing at the front of the head, two holes?

[Otto Man]

But nothing else line up. Doesn’t this “mis-match” create a lousy flow. I look at it and see turbulence. Am I being anal here, or is it OK to dremmel the boltholes to get best fit? Also the one FELPRO is kind of thick, with the gasket sealer. It is thicker than the “regular” gasket. Is one better that the other?
Thanks

Chris

[Bob Holmes]

I tend to trim to fit. I clean up the overlaps.

[bluemax]

I tend to trim to fit. I clean up the overlaps.

Ditto... I use a thin layer of RTV sealant as well.

[Otto Man]

The FELPRO is some kind of plastic, not cardboard, and has some kind of sealant bead on both sides. Is this the preferred gasket, or the standard "cardboard" (with a thin bead of RTV sealant on both sides?

[Otto Man]

And would you go thru the trouble to paint the water pump....(primer coat, hot black crinkle paint)"

[MikeFleming]

I always paint the attachments (water pump, sump, thermostat housing, some brackets, head, block, ...) same color as block.

[Otto Man]

Mike, what thermostat gasket do you prefer? And should there be RTV on both sides?
Do I need primer on the water pump and thermostat housing?
Thanks for your continuous help.
Chris

[MikeFleming]

I use the thin paper ones - don;t knopw if I have a pic or not, don't know where to search though. I use Gasketcinch as gasket clue/sealant.

I rarely primer engine parts or brackets before paint but I usually media blast smaller items before painting.

[Bob Holmes]

I also lap the thermostat cover mating surface to make sure it's flat.

[dagenham]

I'll use whatever gasket is given to me when I order it. If it is a paper type of gasket I use permeated Indian head shellac. I've never had a leak but it is horrible if you have to remove the part again.