Thermostat housing question for 5.7 OSi w/pics

[The Revenge]

Changing my thermostats. These ports on the housing and inside the neck look really rough. Should I try and sand blast these to clean them up for better water flow? I've never changed the risers also, by the looks of these should I expect the same or worse with the risers? This thing had what looked like a thin paper gasket. Do you guys use the same or go with some type of RTV? Everything here is 5 years old. Thanks

 

[gbeltran]

Re: Thermostat housing question for 5.7 OSi w/pics

Sandblast, no need. You can clean up some of the loose stuff with a wire brush, but it will look like that again in a short amount of time. The risers probably look the same. I use the factory gasket when I do the thermostat service. I don't use RTV, not that it wouldn't work. I use Indian Head Shellac on paper gaskets, that's just my preference. As long as the mating surfaces are clean and flat nothing should be required, but I still use the shellac.

 

[Thalasso]

Re: Thermostat housing question for 5.7 OSi w/pics

I didn't think they even made Indian Head shellac anymore.Used it back in the 60s. That is some great stuff.