Water Pump Gasket
 

Do I use gasket sealer or not?

Gasket sealer is not needed, but you do need to use thread sealer on the longer bolts.

I used just a thin layer of gasket sealer applied to the water pump surface to hold the gasket in place while working, and I used the same gasket sealer on the bolt threads.

I like doing it as Tony mentioned.
Also make sure to change out your t/stat and coolant pressure cap at the same time, use a 180 degree soft spring t/stsa for better cooling.

Done. I had to shorten the t-stat to water pump hose by about half an inch to get everything to seal up properly.

So do you guys put sealant on all the bolts? Rave doesn't mention that step in the pump installation instructions. Do some of the bolts actually enter block coolant passages? That seems like a terrible design.

There are short bolts and long bolts. I did have coolant drain from the long bolt holes. There are also two socket sizes. The short bolts are all 10mm and the long bolts are 11mm.

Good to know. I'll take a look at mine.