Weekend Project

Ok so this weekend Im pulling the head on my 98 4.0 and getting it to a machine shop to get it checked for warp and cracking. Had a bad overheat after the head gasket went. While Im at it, I picked up a new exhaust manifold to replace the cracked one. And since Im that far into it, Im doing the intake gasket, plus a new thermostat and water pump.

Now for the questions. What out of these things will need gasket sealant and what type should I use? I know the head gasket gets nothing, with the #11 bolt getting some teflon paste. Its all the others Im not sure of.

Thanks.

Water pump and valve cover gasket, I'd use a brand name gasket glue on the component side only, not the block or head. Thermostat doesn't need anything. Other gaskets, nothing.

Felpro gaskets are good

Thanks for the tips, wouldnt have thought of putting anything on the valve cover since its a rubber gasket.

So its almost all back together. My next question pertains to the head gasket itself. First startup do I need to heat cycle it or anything? Or just drive it like normal? Metal gasket, so I wasnt sure.