Thermostat sleeve - different sizes?

[utexasrick]

So I am finally getting to the final steps of installing my new engine and I ran into a little issue with the thermostat. I have a 4.3lx with the 4 hose style thermostat housing.
I bought this kit - SIE-18-3644
and I bought the sleeve too since that broke when removing - 23-806922

Problem is the sleeve sticks out a good 1/8-1/4 inch out of the housing when fully seated. I remember the old one stuck out slightly but not as much as this new one. I definitely should have keep the pieces of the old one to compare it. Will this all get compressed when bolted down? I don't think the gasket for the housing can make up for the gap. Does this seem right?
Another question is that the housing gasket does not fit around this sleeve, the inner diameter fits right on top of the sleeve. Could this also be the wrong gasket.

 

[ENSIGN]

Re: Thermostat sleeve - different sizes?

They all stick out about a 1/8 of inch,this fits into the groove thats cut in the intake manifold.Make sure all the rust is cleaned out of this groove.Sounds like it's the wrong gasket,The correct one will fit around the sleeve and have 4 small brass rivets made into it for grounding the housing.