M50 block bracket

[morris]

Can any of the M50/M52 builders out there tell me what the bracket labeled 3 in this diagram is for

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...61&hg=11&fg=10

I cleaned and painted it up, bolted it back on but when I came to trial fit various components I couldn't find anything that relied on it so was planning on losing it as it's just another thing to get in the way of an already tangled mess.

I'm not using the water pipe coming off the back of the head so I wondered if it supported that but the RealOEM diagrams for the coolant system suggest not.

[NigelB]

Ian,

It doesn't ring any bells for me.

And I've just had a quick look with a torch and can't see anything that looks similar. I've fitted hoses for a heater but they are suppoprted by plastic fitting attached to the cable tray (I think)

Looks like an opportunity for a bit of weight loss to me......................!!

[peterux]

I don't know but I think it could be a support bracket for the inlet manifold?

http://www.flickr.com/photos/5806804...6958/lightbox/

[mashtun]

I removed that bracket from my M50 a couple of weeks ago and the muck on it (it hasn't been cleaned) doesn't have any bolt head-shaped voids, and the paint on the thread in the captive nut looks to be completely intact. So I'd say nothing was fitted to it. I certainly don't recall removing anything from it, and don't have any photos showing it being used.

Mark.

[morris]

cor, that photo brings back some memories of the state my engine was in a year ago.

The intake manifold goes a good few inches up and over the bracket. I'd always assumed that was what it was for but discounted a few months back on my first test fit after getting the engine in.

I suppose I don't need it then. I wonder what BMW put it there for