2000 ranger 4 banger. Went and bought a stat for a 2000 model but it ended up being the wrong one. Took it back and the one for a 98 looked like the right one. Got home and it was just a tiny bit to wide to slip into the hole. (usual prob). What now? Any thoughts?

 

I had that issue with parts store t-stats, all I did was take my dremel and open up the hole just a tiny bit and it slipped right in. The seal is on the flat face so opening the hole a little wont affect the seal of it. (this is the inner hole that has the sealing surface you're talking about right? or are you talking about it not fitting into the housing at all?) either way depending on how much of a size difference if it is just a hair that needs to fit you can either open up the housing, shrink down the t-stat, or try a different brand t-stat...

 

It did'nt want to go into the block. Dremal thing sounds good. As it did'nt need but maybe a hair to go in.

 

ummm, the t-stat doesn't go into the head, it goes into the water outlet which then bolts onto the block... nothing protrudes from the water outlet into the head.