Van's Oil Temp Probe too short?

[Michael Burbidge]

I took out the probe that was installed on my engine (used O-320-D3G) and compared it to the probe and adapter that I got from Vans. The old probe extends deeper into the port than the new Vans probe? Is this a problem? Here's a picture with the two probes side by side.

The Vans probe comes in two parts, an adapter and the probe itself. The probe screws into the adapter with pipe (NPT) threads. I suppose I could continue to screw the adapter in further, but it is already very tight. I'm worried I will just break the probe at some point. It sort of looks like the probe was meant to screw further into the adapter though. But there are only a couple of more threads, so I can't screw it in further than another 1/16 inch.

I like the looks of the old one piece probe better than the Vans probe/adapter, but I don't know if it will work with the Vans Oil Temp Gauge.

Any advice for those that have traveled this path before?

Thanks,
Michael-