Running without a thermostat ok?

Sorry, not buying into the "better to buy it" routine.

Maybe, and maybe not.

I see this on a lot of forums, guys are stumped when they can't buy something to fix their problem or squelch their desire. Yes, if you can buy a quality part at a reasonable price then you likely can't make it for the same price if your time is worth anything. Keep in mind that the guy or gal who made it probably has a family and deserves to be paid a fair wage too, but heck even if they're just gonna blow it on whiskey & wimmin they still deserve a fair wage. Think about that before whining about the price of something. Want to know why making stuff got moved offshore? Price. With your ever increasing demands for a lower price you drove it there. I drove it there. We all drove it there. If we want it back here, and I sure as hell do, then we've got to be willing to pay for it.

The flip side is that if you can't buy it and you need it, then you should make it or learn how to make it. Or figure out how to make it from something close. I've no idea how close in size the grease gun spring is, but its a brilliant start. Maybe start here as another option: http://www.mcmaster.com/#compression-springs/=xsim2s Bear in mind that even though it's called a "spring" it really doesn't do any springing.

The car parts aftermarket has never been stronger, but those products came to be because of demand - not the other way around. Even into the early 60's there wasn't much available and if you wanted it, you had to find a way to make it or have it made. Hot rodders from then would look at most of us as a bunch of pansies.