water neck

[chevn-up]

Ok, got this after-market water neck with rubber O ring. Anybody have a preferred method of installing ? Gasket/no gasket, sealer/no sealer etc. etc. Thanks.

[Stewart G Griffin]

What brand is this?

[chevn-up]

Not sure, I only know it's for chevys.

[VileZambonie]

The o-ring is designed to replace the gasket.

[chevn-up]

The O-ring is removable, so I know a gasket and sealer will be ok.

[AZ4X4SQBDY]

The o-ring is designed to replace the gasket.

This

Chrome plated thermostat housings tend to leak unless you sand the chrome from the mating surface to the manifold. The housing you purchased uses a o ring instead of the gasket to seal it, you need to use the o ring.

[Stewart G Griffin]

Actually that looks like a Moon unit.  That is probably good quality.  But most chrome necks, i'm afraid-------are not good quality............and will leak.

[Henry]

Hi Chevn-up:
The gasket/o-ringmating surface on the intake manifold is just as critical as the gasket/o-ring mating surface on the water neck. If yours is in good shape just make sure it is very clean and smooth. If you need to lightly sand it to clean it up you should use circular motion so the sand marks do not cause leakage. If it has pitting, you are probably going to have problems with the o-ring. A flat gasket has a lot more surface area to help seal the pitting problems. If you get it all together and you get some seepage, see if a re-tightening stops the leak...if not, I would recommend getting a water neck that uses a flat gasket with sealant. I personally like the cast iron water neck for gen II Chevy trucks.
Good luck,
Henry

[blazer74]

Shouldn’t need sealer with the Oring style unless any of the mating surfaces are pitted and then just a thin transparent amount of sealer to fill the pitting.

Surfaces have to be smooth for the Oring to work alone.

Don’t bother with a cheap pot metal or chrome water neck, it won’t last.