15 hp Evinrude-1982 waterjacket

New question on my other 15 Evinrude. this one is a 1982. I got it running and all was good but I noticed a trickle of water coming out of the waterjacket cover (the one with the thermostat in it). Ordered a new gasket but cant find anything online about weather or not to use a gasket sealer on it or the torque of the bolts. Looking at the old gasket and cover it doesn't look as if there was any sealer on it so I am guessing it doesn't need it but then little 1/4 inch bolts into the aluminum head makes me think I probably should check to see if anyone out there has the service manual and could tell me the proper torque? Thanks for any help! Jim

for the torque, if you cannot find the specific value go with the standard torque value for your bolt and you will be safe

you can find that here

https://www.engineershandbook.com/Tables/torque.htm

I would not use gasket sealer on that just make sure all surfaces are perfectly clean and flat (not warped)

I cant find anything on the exact and no idea what grade bolts they are. When I took them off they didn't seem all that tight so I will probably just try and snug them up all about the same. I am thinking maybe 6 to 10 # of torque. Hoping all goes well because it seems the cover for the water jacket is no longer available. Thanks