I went to change out the thermostat on my wifes Dodge Grand Caravan Sport 3.3L vehicle last week and as I was going to put it back together I noticed that Autozone gave me the wrong gasket. After searching mulitple stores I finally found the correct gasket 5 days later. Now I have all parts needed to reassemble but I cant remember the order everything goes back on. I have a metal plate that came from the disassembly but I don't know if that was part of the original gasket or what. Does this metal plate get thrown away or where does it go in order of the reassembly. I have the repair guide photo attached and it doesn't show the metal plate. Please confirm order

1. Coolant Outlet Connector
2. Gasket
3. Thermostat
4. Intake Manifold

Thanks

 

Welcome to DF
The mental plate maybe the same as the t-stat gasket.

 

yes I do believe it was part of the original thermostat gasket. It was kind of attached to a red rubber gasket. I left out the metal plate and no leaks!!!!!! Thanks for the reply.