This is the kind of feedback I am looking for! Thanks everyone for taking the time to chime in. It would be nice if Hardin marine read this thread and chimed in on whether the issue has been fixed yet!

I called them after I read all this and received mine last week. They said that those were very early run problems, and assured me that the one's being shipped now won't be a problem.

I finally got around to installing this, and it doesn't fit with my new T sump oil pan...

Does anyone have any recommendations for REMOTE oil thermostats? CP is currently between vendors, not supplying any. (The one's on the website listed are not available. Teague doesn't run oil T stats.

Anyone else making these in a marine set up? thanks.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Improved-Rac...-/131106868813

That's a nice looking piece, has anyone ever used one?

I installed two on my Formula. I had oil in the bilge after running for a few hours. I looked on this site and I too had the same problem with the banjo fitting not finished properly and the casting was rough on the adapter itself.
I called and spoke with Jeff at Hardin marine and explained. He sent me two new ones. I polished the banjo fittings to my desire and installed. Did a leak check with turning oil pump with electric drill. I got it up to 60psi and appears to have no leaks. I would recommend this adapter providing you check the mating surfaces prior to install.

As others have stated the problem was early last year, I couldn't wait for them to fix mine. They wanted me to send the banjo back and they would surface it then return it. I wasn't going to wait weeks. I fly cut mine on a mill to avoid the passes of an end mill like others mentioned.

As for temps it works really good for me compared to the canton one I had that would never heat the oil up. My setup looks pretty good. As soon as I can take a pic I will post it up.

I have been running this one, I think its the same number anyways, for 5 years. I am adding my oil temp gauge this year but I have had zero issues with oil getting too hot or running too cold from what I can tell. I don't run a remote oil filter on mine but I think you can if you wanted to

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/prm-182

I have one of these plumbed to the up front filter head position, using one of their remote oil filter mounts. Don't know how it works yet, but made for a clean install. http://97.74.32.155/files/thermos$.pdf
I went with the SP16T. Supposedly I got one of the warmer stats that they don't offer anymore, but I believe the only thing different is the spring. 180 probably is OK, but it would be better in the 200+ range. I wanted my T-stat accessible because if anything went wrong, its almost impossible to get to the engine oil filter pad.

I guess I didn't past a workable link - just Google Mocal Bat