Not following. Do you have a picture?

ohuntsman wrote:

Went to do this mod today and the OEM thermostat that I had fitted has a a central column that wouldn't allow the kit to fit into the housing

Had to buy another with had the same central column!!!!

Has anyone else had this issue?

You did cut away the old bits and pull the central bit out?

 Ron B. VK2OTC
2003 L322 V8 Auto
2007 Yamaha XJR1300
Previous: 1983, 1986 RRC; 1995, 1996 P38A; 1995 Disco1; 1984 V8 County 110; Series IIA

The column on both stats I had was fixed so I couldn't fit it in

Oh well - next time I change it I'll give it another go!

You cut the arms off that hold the old spring and stopper in place.

Sorry buddy -I get that - but the central column was cast into the body

Without pictures I can only guess someone rigged the wrong thermostat or you were trying to install the modification upside down. Now I'm curious. Just replaced my fuel pump and the previous owner had rigged a much smaller one instead of the OEM so crazy stuff does happen.

ohuntsman wrote:

but the central column was cast into the body

I can’t now as it has been fitted.

But cast into the body the central piece does not remove to allow the new unit to be fitted.

This was an OEM stat

Wait, you tossed the original because you couldn't fit the mod in it or you were able to rig the original one and that is why you can't take a pic? I'm interested in the thermostat you removed from the RR.

Well I needed the FF to be on the road, the old stat got tossed and mum picked up a new oem one from the autofactors which wouldn’t work either, I didn’t have time to fiddle so just put in the original.

It is cold here and having the heater back meant that I’m not too fussed about the hotter stat.

OK these are the possible reasons it didn't fit;
1. You were sent the wrong kit.
2. You are trying to put the wrong end of the modification in the old housing.
3. PO somehow rigged the wrong thermostat and somehow you reordered the same wrong one.
4. You live in an alternate reality.

I'm betting on 1 and 2 with equal weight but not leaving out 4. This is supposed to be an easy modification. Pull off old thermostat, remove guts, cut off retaining arms, fit new one with spacers. I've checked with at least 5 suppliers of this original thermostat and they all have the same design. I'm sure when you figure it out it will be a real

I like to think 4.

But then I can't do a pic but heres a quick sketch!

OK with that picture I think we narrowed it down to reason 1 or 2. I guess there could be a reason 1b where you were sent the right adapter with the wrong thermostat installed in it. There should be no reason the modified thermostat not fitting in your old housing other than maybe part of the heating element sticking out of the center cup. Hard to tell how far it is protruding from that angle. Other than that possibility your modified old thermostat looks correct. Tell me that in your fitting frustration you did entertain the idea you were fitting the wrong end of the modification into the old thermostat and then tried flipping it?

Or 4. - in my alternate reality, my OEM stat housings have a central column which is cast in the way of the kit.

No a proper kit doesn't hit the casting and your casting looks normal. You haven't confirmed that at some point you tried fitting both ends into the old thermostat. You have claimed it is an OEM thermostat you modified and the picture looks OEM or of those specs. Your center casting will sit in the same place as everybody else's. That leaves us with supplier error or installer error. Contact the seller with the length the thermostat protrudes either end of the aluminum sandwich pieces or if you can see any part numbers on the sandwiched thermostat. Either it was made wrong or you are missing something with installation. I don't see any other options.