On Friday, June 30, 2017 at 1:58:32 AM UTC-5, wrote:
Worked!!! Happy wife = happy life.

Question....

Is there any danger of malfunction having that gap in the connector?

If you're referring to the 'keeper' nut, universal thermocouple kits come with a variety of fittings including both left and right hand thread nuts that are slotted so they will slide over the small thermocouple tube then screw into the pilot light assembly to hold the large end of the thermocouple in place. It's been years since I purchased a kit. ヽ(ヅ)ノ

https://www.amazon.com/Spares2go-Uni.../dp/B00S4UQFMU

https://tinyurl.com/ybh7pg6d

[8~{} Uncle Thermo Monster