[TR] Skirted thermostats

[Hdefer]

I recently put in a new improved radiator (no crank hole) and am  
having a hard time getting up to anywhere near the 180 deg. temp. for  
my TR3A to run properly. Consequently, I have to run with the "choke"  
pulled out, unless the outside temp. is 80 + degrees. I have a non- 
skirted 180 deg. thermostat with the by-pass partially plugged as was  
recommended by someone from the list. This made me conclude that  
skirts should not only be on the fairer sex and Scotsmen but also on  
TR3 thermostats. Last time I checked in the Moss catalog (the only  
one I could find that is still selling them) the cost was $115+ with  
tax and shipping. Looking at the thermostat that I have, it looks  
like modifying it with a skirt , would be quite doable. Has anyone  
any info. on this?
Hans
TR3A