I have replaced my waterneck gasket, thermostat, and waterneck, and for some reason it keeps leaking. I had one of those billet gaskets, it leaked. I changed to a felpro w/ silicon, and it leaks. What am I doing wrong? Is the Thermostat supposed to go first, then the gasket, and the waterneck, or do I put the gasket first, then the thermostat? Do I need to teflon tape the bolts. I really feel like an idiot, this is supposed to be simple. Thanks!

Artman 69 Camaro

Thermostat first into manifold, gasket, then housing. If chrome housing, file off chrome or get another stock alum housing.

Lay a straight edge, steel ruler, across housing to make sure its flat; same for manifold. If not flat, replace housing or file it flat if in a bind. If threads are pulled up in manifold, you can use a large drill bit to chamfer the threads. Blow out the chips before bolting.

Don't overtorque the bolts, Snug is good, tight is not. If screwing into alum manifold, antiseize the bolt threads for easier removal later.

Water inlet on intake is prob warped,Take a flat file and make a couple of passes see if it has high low spots.I have run into the same problem a few times. after fileing it flat it sealed right..Also the after market Water necks that use the o-ring seal work really well. If your not concerned with it not being stock. I sand blasted and painted them before if you want it the chevy orange.

If it's an aluminum intake I gotta agree with both of the previos posts. But if it's flat and your sure the chrome housing (most are junk that I've ever seen) is good you may be tightening it too tight.

Aftermarket chrome cheapie goose neck ? Get a better one (factory).

Forget the gasket 'necks....use the "O" ring ones

Look inside the housing to see if metal is eaten away. I had the cheap chrome o-ring ones, and the metal under the chrome was gone. I could push a punch right through it. It is do to different metals, and it sure likes those cheap covers.

I fought the same problem, filed the intake, and waterneck, everything was flat, still leaked. I finally just used two felpro gaskets with thin film of sealer on all surfaces. Put sealer on the bolt threads to keep them set. No leak since.

steps is right. i went with an adjustable angle with an O ring and never had a leak again.

I got a Mr. Gasket water outlet that is chrome and it has a small o ring groove with a o ring in the outlet. When bolted down the o ring spreads out on the coolant flange of the intake and seals it up. It never needs a gasket and doesn't leak. This way it also allows you to remove outlet if needed without ruining the o ring and can be reused.

Eds Toy

This way it also allows you to remove outlet if needed without ruining the o ring and can be reused.
Idealy that 'O' ring should be replaced each time
Water neck I consider 'dispoable' as with an oil filter..and they are not much different in price to a good oil filter
The old cast factory ones used to be good, the modern crap metal ones last a few yrs and need replacing...

can u see where its leaking from? I had a leak from mine and I kept torquing it down and it never went away. Later on I had a HUGE leak and it was from a pin sized hole in the water neck. That was a Mr.Gasket neck u can buy at autozone or kragens for that matter. True story.

I use a Billet Specialties water outlet that uses an o-ring instead of a gasket.
http://store.summitracing.com/partdetail.asp?autofilter=1&part=BSP%2D90320&N=700+4294924500+4294839037+400106+4294908216+4294 840140+115&autoview=sku

If all else fails, JB Weld it!

Use a cast iron or billet water neck only. I have not seen a chromey that didn't leak at some point. They warp and made of pot metal the coolant eats through it in short order.

I use the same as Charlie and it works great!

Yeah, the Billet Specialties is made of just that, billet and it is not going to get eaten by anything. Plus, it has an o-ring instead of a gasket so no more goop to worry about. I have had this outlet for over 3 years and NEVER a leak. Not even a drop.