Rust where thermostat sits

[Brent Knowles]

hello and thanks beforehand! So da Burl has been sitting 9 years. I did all the recommended maintenance before start up and she purrs like a kitten now. Radiator had rusted coils so I replaced it. Also replaced the thermostat. While doing it I noticed quite a bit of surface rust where it sits in the manifold. Think I need to take it off and clean up or maybe a flush with some kind of rust remover would work? Thanks again!

 

[bucket]

If it's not leaking, it will be fine. If it's leaking, just clean up the mating surfaces. If there's pitting in the area where the gasket seals, a light coating of rtv on the gasket should take care of it.