If you do it the 'proper' way instead of keyhole, you can take a look at the journals into which the 'stat, elbow and cross-pipe fit. Cleaning them up really well is essential I think to ensure a good seal on the O-rings, at least avoid a bad one. I always do it, just 20 minutes extra work. I use Molykote too (but the 55 O-ring grease), which helps. All I can say is that I have only 3 needing changing in the 250,000 kms on my 3 V6's and never once because of the O-rings, always because of elbow cracking (2) and/or thermostat case separation (also 2). Maybe I'm just damned lucky!
David
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