401 - Oil & water temperature gauges

[dave dale]

Originally Posted by Kevin H

Dave, have you ever considered a sump/crankcase heater?

It doesn't have to be intrusive. You can get heaters nowadays that stick to the outside of the sump, although internal heaters are obviously more effective.

Thanks Kevin. I get around the problem on cold days by running the engine at 1300 to 1400 rpm with the car stationary before setting off. With the radiator blinds in place the oil heats up and allows the needle to rise off the stop within about 5 minutes. After setting off the needle rises to 50C shortly afterwards. The sump heater is a good idea but London does not get all that cold these days ( climate change ? ) and, when away from home, there is not often somewhere handy to plug it in. Dave.

[pasini s]

Hello all,

Speaking of radiator blinds, I think that they arer really useful in winter, and here's what my mechanics did build to keep the engine warm:

Bristol 403-1404 custom-made radiator blinds

The long screw lifts or lowers the blinds when you turn the upper black knob. Yes, I've seen the oil needle moving veeeeery slowly upwards now in winter, so I'm trying to keep it easy until it moves from the stop, and this happens only after 15-20 miles, like Dave said. I wouldn't do without all these gauges, they are part of the fascination of the 403 (and other Bristols).

All the best

Stefano

Originally Posted by dave dale

Thanks Kevin. I get around the problem on cold days by running the engine at 1300 to 1400 rpm with the car stationary before setting off. With the radiator blinds in place the oil heats up and allows the needle to rise off the stop within about 5 minutes. After setting off the needle rises to 50C shortly afterwards. The sump heater is a good idea but London does not get all that cold these days ( climate change ? ) and, when away from home, there is not often somewhere handy to plug it in. Dave.

[pasini s]

Hello all,

Speaking of radiator blinds, I think that they arer really useful in winter, and here's what my mechanics did build to keep the engine warm:

Bristol 403-1404 custom-made radiator blinds

The long screw lifts or lowers the blinds when you turn the upper black knob. Yes, I've seen the oil needle moving veeeeery slowly upwards now in winter, so I'm trying to keep it easy until it moves from the stop, and this happens only after 15-20 miles, like Dave said. I wouldn't do without all these gauges, they are part of the fascination of the 403 (and other Bristols).

All the best

Stefano

Originally Posted by dave dale

Thanks Kevin. I get around the problem on cold days by running the engine at 1300 to 1400 rpm with the car stationary before setting off. With the radiator blinds in place the oil heats up and allows the needle to rise off the stop within about 5 minutes. After setting off the needle rises to 50C shortly afterwards. The sump heater is a good idea but London does not get all that cold these days ( climate change ? ) and, when away from home, there is not often somewhere handy to plug it in. Dave.