i have a 1996 dodge dakota . i have replaced the thermostat and where the tstat mounts to the the motor i have a leak i cant get rid of. i removed the radiator hose and the the large tube the tstat sets in i cleaned the motor and large tube the tstat sets in (clean enough to eat off of) i used high temp silicone on the tube to hold the gasket in place.
an hour later i placed the tstat in the hole on the motor. then i placed the tube in place put the two bolts in the round tube and carefully tightened to correct torque. i have removed and installed 3 times and still have a leak my question is do i need to put the tstat in the tube then put the gasket on top of the tstat then install on motor. it seems to me like the tstat is trying to seal metal to metal and it wont seal any help on this would be appreciated.

onelaptog

check to see if you can get a gasket to go between the two surfaces..they make one for that purpose. good luck