Take a closer look. Are you sure it is not cracked?
Nice ride Colt
When I took my thermostat out, I could see that the support had receded further into the housing and would no longer support the thermostat flange to provide a seal. It was easy to see that it was cockeyed when I was looking for the problem. I would bet you have the same problem. Mine got worse when I took it off and tried to seal it again. At first, it sealed itself when it got warm.
There is no fix to this problem, that I was able to conjure up, except a new manifold. Leaks tend to develop around the bolts too. I am sorry I don't have better news.
x3,..this is one of those times when I wished the goose neck (water inlet) had a flange around the entire surface so a man could use an O-ring AND a gasket if needed. But mine turned out to be a cracked intake.
A dozen people other than myself never saw the crack, but it was there, and very apparent when my crossover shot its wad.
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Long View, NC P.D. Decommissioned in Dec. '08-Purchased in January, '09 with 71,200 miles,
3:55 gears, K&N, FlowMasters, Stainless tips, Dorman intake,
Paint, Tuck, Kenwood head unit, Front end tuner mesh, Accel Super Coils