Ok I had my radiator fixed, and I pulled the Thermostat housing off to grind it to bare metal and put a new coat of engine enamel on it. I would like to reinstall this thermostat housing without having any problems with it leaking.
What does everyone recommend? Hardener? Black RTV? Orange RTV?

I am going to put a new gasket in, but noticed when removing the old one that the engine builder 'Beck Racing Engines' placed an orange RTV of some sort in on the threads of the two bolts. Was this just to prevent them from coming out? Anyone recommend putting some sort of RTV sealer on both sides of the gasket?

Edelbrock says this:
Apply Edelbrock RTV silicone on manifold surface using a new gasket. Apply RTV silicone to water neck surface and bolt threads. Start bolts by hand and tighten.

Unfortunately I don't think my local autozone/pep boys is going to carry 'Edelbrock RTV'. Also it doesn't list the torque specs, which for the rest of the manifold is 25 lbs so I am guessing I do the same for the thermostat housing?

Make sure both surfaces are clean and flat and go to Chevy and get one of their gaskets with the blue ring in it. No sticky stuff needed...

Hmm easier said than done, call the large chevrolet dealer here, first the guy tells me he can't look up 69 camaro part, that the systems only go back to 1976, so I proceed to educate him in that this is a simple housing gasket and so he should have no problem using a 1976 camaro 5.7 liter, so he does so and then tells me that its a special order part :(

I get mine over the counter at a place called the Corvette Clinic. Do you have a local place like that for camaros or vettes? If so give them a try!! As for your chevy dealer I bet all the mechanics have a couple each stashed in a drawer in their tool box!!

Also someone else has stated you can get them from parts houses under one of the name brand gasket brands. Sorry I can't recall the name...

Dennis,

It's a Felpro part but I do not know the part number. I got it from PAW. It's reuseable, and realy nice but requires that both surfaces be in good condition.

Thanks guys, its a FelPro 2202, seems to average 16-25 bucks on the internet. I'll have to see if the local Kragen or the mom and pop shop carry it.

I paid $1.95 for the one I got!!! :eek: I just called and got the Chevy part number. It's 10105135. It's not a plastic gasket like the Fel-Pro but it is reusable and has the blue ring or bead on both sides to make the seal.

Well I went to AutoZone, they had a FELPRO 35562T for $4.29

Now this is a nice gasket, plastic gasket (blue) with a red rubber o ring on each side. Instructions that came with it specifically say to not use any sort of adhesive or sealer and to install it DRY. If you figure a new gasket is $1.29 + $3.50 for the adhesive sealer, its cheaper to go with the newer Felpro gasket!

Chevy dealer was clueless, maybe it was the parts guys first day.

I have had one of those plastic Fel Pro gaskets on my engine for 5 or 6 years. It has lasted thru an engine rebuild and multiple intake swaps. It may be expensive, but it will last a LONG time.

Just put a small bead of Permatex Ultra Black around the thermostat and bolt holes and consider it done. Also works on warped housings, also.

RTV is also much easier to remove when swapping thermostats than a gasket.