gasket gripe

[doskow@domain.elided (MEL ODIOUS)]

Hi!
    it was finally warm enough (upper 30s) to replace the thermostat/housing
    on the 164 to allow the engine to run warmer than 130 degrees, which is
    a surprizingly easy task, except for trying to somehow scrape the
    remnants of the old gasket off.  is there really ANY reason that a
    theoretically modern & sophisticated engine like an ALFA V6 should
    use that damned 19th century cardboard garbage for gaskets?  is it
    just some sort of assinine tradition, or to save a few cents over
    the cost of machining an o-ring groove & using a silicone or viton
    o-ring?   
    also, if there's a softer, more easily scratched, stripped or pitted
    alloy of aluminum available in the universe, FIAT will undoubedly
    will find it & start making these water system housings even lousier.
    and where did they find those pathetic excuses for hose clamps?

    grmb&*&&^^$%%$%^$%^%^O@@@@!      jak bloomington in

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