Another Thermostat / Housing question.

Is it possible to machine the one you have flat? I like to check my t-stats in a pan of water, bringing it to a boil, to see if it opens, eliminating any possible guesswork that it is the culprit of overheating. (even if they are new). It appears the t-stat housing you have has enough material to have it turned down. There is the jerry rig method which isnt totally awesome......make sure t-stat works.....use RTV liberally on that inside edge..(RTV sculpting...Ha Ha!) and a gasket....get bolts started....let RTV start to set up (do not use so much ART-T-V that it spooges into the t-stat...this is a JUST ENOUGH situation) ......and then do a final tighten of housing bolts 20 min after. This will hold until you meet a machinist that will turn that puppy down for you.

Before I get beat up too bad on my rigging suggestion, Id like to say that its not a forever fix.......just a year or two..Ha!