water pump: paper gasket AND rubber gasket maker??

[jt15833]

got an OEM water pump, came with a paper gasket. Should i use just the gasket, or just rubber gasket maker, or both? and if both, do i put the gasket maker on the gasket or the block or the pump? if the gasket, both sides or just one?? Also, should i put anything on the thermostat before i replace that??

thanks

[gumby]

you can get by with blue RTV alone or you could coat both sides of the gasket. just make sure you also fill in any trenches on the pump or thermostat cover. usually the thermostat has a little paper gasket too. i cant remeber if my pump came with one or not.