Can I grind down my 4128 T-stat?

My Predator is probably making it's way over Pacheco Pass right about now so I stopped by the Autozone down the block. Had him type in 4128 for the part# and bingo! Valucraft 4128 T-stat in hand. So, being the way I am, the idea of wedging it in there is bugging me. I seem to remember someone saying it's maybe 2 mm too big in diameter? I'm thinking if I can chuck this thing in my hand drill (the one with the hand crank) I could spin it on a piece of sand paper or file and take it down. What do you think? Is that flange 2 pieces pressed together and it will fall apart if I take a mm off the edge? Would it matter? if I made sure to stick them together lined up when installing it? Would a little metal dust be a disaster? let's assume I'm really careful and keep it blown off during and after the process.

(I should have bought 2 while I was there)

 

hmmm

I got the Motorad and did not have to do any filing.

Who says it is bigger?

 

I got the same T-Stat Dave and also had no filing to do. It's quite snug, but fits well and no issues in at least 7000 miles.

 

I don't know... I thought ALL the 180* T-stats were just a hair too large. They fit but you have to be careful with the gasket and sort of squeeze them in (just a tiny bit larger than the stock one). Now I'm going to have to find that how-to thread with all the pics and see which one they used.

How come I thought the Motorad and Valucraft were the same? just rebranded by Autozone.

 

They probably are the same, but when I installed mine, I had no issues with the gasket. Fit like a glove.

Be careful to NOT confuse a 5.7 t-stat with the 6.1.

 

What does that mean?! Is there more than one flavor of a 4128 Valucraft?

 

No the 4128 is the right one.It is definitly snug,but be patient and it will work.Going on 16k miles with mine.No issues..Ever...

 

So you all are trying to talk me out of taking it down just a bit?:cry:

 

I did mine while the coolant/housing was still a little warm, when right in.

 

Quick, where'd you get the predator from and how much? Just wondering the going rate these days.

I got the jet tstat and it popped right in, plus it came with a new gasket.

 

25K miles and no issues with mine. I hope you are collecting this data "Data". I expect 2-3 forms of graphs in a PowerPoint presentation when 10 pages have been posted. LOL

 

oops, sorry. I was talking about the How - to thread you had mentioned.

Make sure whom ever wrote it was not referring to the 5.7.

 

Here's some pics. Used OEM on the left, 4127 on the right, except the last pic. I got them reversed trying to get good light on them.
While these are supposed to be "failsafe" and go full open when they fail, a least one person had it fail closed so I got a spare one. I've got about 10k on my 4127 and no CEL, though I have seen a soft code stored when I have checked for codes with the predator a couple times.

 

You sure you didn't get those reversed? My 4128 looks exactly like the T-stat on the right. [edit] oops, that's what you said... never mind (did you edit your post?)

And HEH! If you look on the support flanges on the back it's stamped "Germany" on one and .... "MotoRad" on the other.

 

Found it. Meister on lxforums. Here's an excerpt. Seems it's 0.5mm larger than the stock one. I'll get a second one and try shaving it down 1/2 mm ... it will be one of those coveted CUSTOM mods :bigwink:

http://www.lxforums.com/board/showthread.php?t=19830

 

With the 4127 some have had code issues.Never had or heard of codes with the 4128.I have seen some fail,but not to many.I think 2 that I know of..

 

Yeah I did edit... I was looking at the last pic on photobucket when I wrote the post and then when I posted it I was like WTF... don't know my left from my right....:bang:

 

Oh, ok.

But I think you confused your 180 t-stat with the 170 t-stat being .5mm bigger. Sooooooo, you do not need to shave anything.

As others stated, I have over 18K hard miles on my 170 and no issues.

My suggestion would be "Don't fix it if it aint broke". hehe

 

Seriously I was a little spooked about the size too after the 9000 posts I read before taking the leap. It's nothing. I reused the factory gasket, it was already a little slippery from the coolant on it, pushed it in with my thumb. no grind, no pry, no deep fry, no saute'...

 

Dammit. Ok, FINE. I was really looking forward to doing that. had 2 or 3 possiblities in mind already for how to chuck it to my drill without damaging it and still keeping it centered so it would be perfectly round when I got done... even found the micrometer calipers... crap