401 thermostat/shutters missing

[khs]

Hi,
this winter I will do some restoration-work on my 401, bringing the car back on the road next spring.
The car has the "old" radiator - but shutters and themostat (in the head of the radiator instead in water pump) are missing...
What shall I do?
1) No thermostat/shutters = running (very) cool.... (I have heard, some BMW-drivers have removed the thermostat for improving cooling...)
2) Looking for thermostat/shutters?
3) Installing a "flying" thermostat between "out" (behind water pump) an "in" (radiator out)?
What shall I prefer? Experiences?
Regards
Klaus

[Geoff Dowdle]

Klaus,
The shutter/thermostat system were fitted to all 400's and early 401's up to chassis 845 , later 401's and other 6 cylinder types had a water pump with thermostat incorporated.

Depending on the climate of where you drive the car you could do the following .
1. In places like sunny Australia in summer we usually remove the shutters as it tends to block the flow of air through the radiator . On my 400 I have fitted additional ducting to make sure that the majority of air passing through the grille actually goes through the radiator . I then had to fit a water thermostat in the top radiator hose to increase the temperature during winter. I used a B2NN8575A that are often used in a Ferguson Tractor TO20 or TO30 , it is marked 160 which I assume is 160F. I searched Google and easily found a supplier.
They have a cylinderical body & fit nicely inside the top hose , in winter it runs about 78C & summer 82C on the water temp guage.

2. If your original early 401 waterpump is badly corroded like most are, I suggest you purchase a late 401 - 406 waterpump with the thermostat incorporated. They are available from Suppliers like IN Racing , TT Workshops and I've even seen them on Ebay.

Hope this helps
Geoff

[khs]

Thank you - this helps!
Klaus