Why do you want to keep the factory thermostat?
You could get a GT lower hose and put an inline housing in the lower hose but at that point you might as well use the housing in the upper hose from the On3 kit.
There are several options I can think of for adapting the factory upper hose to AN lines.
The easiest with this kit... Leave the lower hose and factory thermostat housing as is. Run the new upper thermostat housing empty.
If the coils are touching just attempting to install them, something is wrong here.
Are you 100% certain these are the correct springs?
I've done several sets, including one on a convertible and have never struggled like you're describing. I've always done it with very cheap spring...
That's really unfortunate to hear. I see him recommended a lot of places.
I went prodash in my car from the getgo and never had to deal with any of this.
The only way, imo, to get a truly clean Holley install on these cars is to build the harness yourself. Their harness sucks, I bailed on it and built my own when I initially installed everything, and I'm in the process of rewiring my Holley right now because I moved a bunch of cocomponents to...
This is not the exact tool I have, but the design is the same.
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/pro-66515?seid=srese1&ppckw=pmax-tools&gclid=Cj0KCQjwiOy1BhDCARIsADGvQnAInfdoFZ2hsyR3Udu9VRWdxtAQifSnaZlHhy0HMw5pSSr440YMHWYaAmwrEALw_wcB
Just as DSG2003Mach1, I also have an ARP bolt for my...
First several threads. I cleaned up what was remaining with a tap and had to purchase and modify a proper install tool to get mine on and off. Bolt still torques fine but it's always a pucker moment.
If/when the engine is ever apart again I'll have a timesert installed, or just stud the crank.
Pulled threads out of my crank once upon a time doing what you're doing with the bolt.
Borrow an install tool from any AutoZone, Advanced, Orielly's, etc.. They're free and work quite well.