So I went down to my local parts store to pick up a 180 tstat and told them I wanted a gasket too, they said only thing to show up on their computers was a seal. So I called another store as well, and all they have is a seal too. Should I scavenge to find a gasket, or just install with a seal? I know the later years did it, but what about with a 1994?

Moved to General Chat. Not a performance topic.

They're wrong. Go to NAPA. They have the seal and the gasket.

Perhaps you're looking for a 'Thermostat Housing Gasket' vs a 'Thermostat Gasket'? Some people don't look very hard in their computers. They look for the exact definition you gave them, and nothing more... because that'* what they're paid to do in their eyes.

Just a suggestions... maybe it'll help.

have them check different years, they are all the same.

you can even cut your own out of the gasket material they sell.

not putting in a gasket sucks. My brother did it and the hose started to suck in..make sure you have all parts before modding

Try asking for a "Water outlet gasket". That'* how I got mine, as it was not called a Thermostat housing gasket at the NAPA here.

Will a thin bead of copper (high temp) ATV work in a pinch?

I've had a difficult time finding it too. AutoZone and Advance can never find it for me. So, I just go next door to Murray'*. They always have it.

I had a bit of trouble getting mine, but they ended up giving me both because they didn't know which one I needed...mine didn't have a gasket when i removed it though, now it does.

I found it earlier today, I went down to a local Canadian Tire, thought maybe if I bought a different brand of thermostat, they would come with a gasket inside the box. Turns out when I got there, they had a few gaskets hanging off the shelf. When I asked someone to get on the computer for me, this time with the screen in front of me, they almost clicked, "Thermostat O-ring Seal", when above it, there was, "Thermostat Housing Gasket". Makes me wonder if both NAPA and Lordco made the same mistake when I told them I wanted a "Thermostat Housing Gasket".