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I finally managed to make up my connector for my radiator system. For those of the 323i or 320/6 variety, it's the bit that the temp switches go in to. Also known as 17111120457.

I managed to do the welding, clean up and tapping OK, but the I ran into some trouble with putting the shoulder on the end. The guys in our workshop took care of it for me, although it even took them a few hours of welding and machining because once you weld it, it won't sit straight in the lathe. Means you can only do one end at a time and it needs a large centre to hold it properly.

Anyway, it's done and I'm very happy with it. Good to prove it could be done. I'm going to paint mine up in Rustseal which is about as rust proof as I can get. Then I'll spray it with Rustguard enamel just to be OTT!

If anyone's desperate for one and can't find a used or new one (such as people like me who live at the far end of Australia!), I could make another one, but be warned, it would have cost me around $300 if I'd had to pay the workshop guys to make it.

Cheers

Glad you got that sorted even though it took quite some efforts. As I haven't found a aftermarket alternative, this may be useful to others as well so its good to have that part no here indeed, at least then we know what to search for when the Q pops up again. Have fun with the new toy!

This is a bit of a blast from the past, but a friend of mine had their connector/switch mount corrode away like mine. Rather than buy another standard one, he asked me to make one like mine but in 316 stainless steel.

If anyone would like one, we'll be making it in the next few weeks and could make some more. It'd cost AU$450 by the time we get the stainless parts and get someone to finish them in the lathe.

Cheers
PK

FYI, apparently WallothNesch also had these produced again somehow...

https://www.wallothnesch.com/anschlusss ... 26-07.html