ok all, i believe i have success. i have used the aviation sealer and a new FELPRO gasket and all seems to be fine. also cleaned threads out completely, got new bolts and added a washer, tried to cover all the bases here. i do believe the problem was the gasket i was getting. it was thin black gasket with sticky on one side. I DO NOT recommend them. the Felpro gasket was thicker as well, maybe 2x thicker.
View attachment 1716282737
OH, and she's a runner now.