My thermostat is leaking around the seal where the upper and lower thermostat housings meet.  I put thermostat in with engine out of the van.  I think that I put O-ring on wrong side of the thermostat and/or did not put sealant on the mating surfaces between the two housings.  Engine is 1.9L WBX with S&S headers.

It looks like I can get to thermostat from below if I remove the oil filter.  Is the following order of work steps appropriate?

Remove large hose from thermostat housing and let system drain
Remove oil filter
Remove bolts holding thermostat housing together
Remove lower portion and put O-ring in right place
Put sealant around mating surface
Reassemble
Put oil filter back on
Refill and bleed cooling system

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Thank you,

John Lauterbach
Macon, GA
'84 7-passenger