SOLVED: HELP! How to remove silicone gasket (1 Viewer)

[MustangOwl]

Attempting to check my water temp sensor led me to do a check of my thermostat.

HOWEVER

Some previous owner must have opened the thermostat casing before and then used a sticky silicone (loctite?) to form a gasket sealing it together with the water pump.

The sucker won’t budge.

Any tips or tricks from anyone on how to take the two pieces (water pump and thermostat housing) apart when they’re stuck together like this??

Any help is appreciated. I thought I had a quick job…

 

[OSS]

pry them apart with s chisel- being careful not to mar the sealing surfaces.

 

[MustangOwl]

Popped it with a rubber mallet twice and knocked it loose (all hoses and connectors were off). Then proceeded w the chisel. Thank you!