Running reports

[peterux]

I've not been in the garage much this summer what with work and other things keeping me busy.
I think I was getting withdrawal symptoms and after seeing Patrick's car again in Completekitcar my interest in an M20B28 conversion was re-ignited. I've completely aborted ay idea of getting the M52 fitted. Aside from the dasterdly fiendish immobilser (which I was determined to beat) I decided the amount of oil sludge in the engine, it just wasn't worth the effort. The plan is to break the M52 for parts and recoup my losses selling the individual parts.

Anyway, back to my latest engine purchase (yes, I have three now!). It's a lowish mileage M2025 from 1988. The plan is to strip it, clean it and convert using a M50B28 crank and M20B20 crank rods.
So far i've collected the crank and some conrods. After a day in the garage, the engine dissmantling has begun and the engine is off the pallet and now mounted on the engine stand.

Another M20 Engine by marlinpeter, on Flickr
Progress is expected to be slow with a hope to fit the engine next year sometime.

....peter

[Patrick]

He he exllent, you going for the full BMW engine set?

[MartinClan]

Originally Posted by peterux

I'(yes, I have three now!)peter

Now that's just being greedy....

Robin

[peterux]

It beats stamp collecting !!

[Patrick]

Originally Posted by peterux

It beats stamp collecting !!

I really, really need to borrow the M62B44 in my dads car

[peterux]

I've started stripping and refurbishing my 'new' 325i engine.

The fuel injectors seem more rusty than the ones in my 320i engine but will be treated to the same ultrasonic clean and refurbishment with new 'o'rings. I'll be sending them away to the same company that did my 320i injectors.

325i Injector by marlinpeter, on Flickr

The fuel rail will get a fresh coat of black paint.

As is usual with these engine, once you remove some grime and light surface rust the components are as good a new.


325i Flywheel by marlinpeter, on Flickr

This flywheel is in good nick which is hopefully a good sign for the rest of the engine.

As you will know from Patrick's M20B28 build you need to make a spacer for the crankshaft. Patrick made his own but apparantly you can make one from an M52 vibration damper flange. (Something I just happened to have in my garage. )


Here you can see it being trial fitted on my M50 328i crankshaft.


M50 328i Crank and M52 'spacer' by marlinpeter, on Flickr

It fits perfectly and I just need to find someone to remove the flange bit.


M50 328i Crank and M52 'spacer' by marlinpeter, on Flickr

Now where's the next box of bits and can of cleaner....


...peter

[Patrick]

That's exactly what I used to make my spacer. That exact specs are on E30zone just spent some time on the lathe with it.

[peterux]

Originally Posted by Patrick

That's exactly what I used to make my spacer. That exact specs are on E30zone just spent some time on the lathe with it.

Hi Patrick,
yes, its the e30zone Wiki that i'm following. Looking at your pictures again, I can now see what you used. (And there was me thinking you'd made it from scratch!)

I also noticed you have 'flat bottom' pistons.

These pistons advertised recently on eBay look different to yours?


M20 325i sport pistons by marlinpeter, on Flickr

I know from the Bently manual that BMW seemed to fit 3 diffrent types.

Did you need to modify yours to prevent the piston skirts hitting the crank webs?

I better get back down my lock-up and whip out my pistons to see which ones I've got

...peter

[Patrick]

I didn't need to make any modifications to mine. As I understand it the long skirt ones were on the preface lift jettronic engines.

[peterux]

I took the head and and sump off today and popped out one of my pistons.
They look like the ones in the picture above, so hopefully no problems with clearance.

Now I have tons of bits to clean up and paint.

...peter

[peterux]

We had planned a little trip yesterday but after moving the car out of the garage, the engine started misfiring badly and had no power. It would start and run but wouldn't rev past 2000 rpm and and attempted blast down the road turned in a walking pace kangaroo hop up and down my road. The engine was coughing and small backfires which it had never done before.
I removed the spark plugs and gave them a clean but no difference.
Anyway, after a bit of trial and error I discovered it was the connector to the MAF. I'll have to get some of that contact cleaner stuff.

I took the car for a 30 mile blast this morning and everything is now back to normal. Great day for a little drive in the bright sunshine, just a liitle chilly.

On an unrelated note, if started buying some bits for my engine build. I came across this supplier for the first time so i tried them out.

http://www.wanapart.co.uk/car-parts/

I bought some e46 rear strut mounts, M20 water pump, thermostat, timing belt, tensioner and water pump. They are all Febi-Bilstein and their prices are good. They all arrived safely packed with no trouble so i'll be using them again.

...peter

[Patrick]

Excellent thanks for the link I had a bit of a night time drive around on Friday. Was just going to move it from my parents garage to mine but then just kept going Got some odd looks when I went past the pubs in Basingstoke - not every cold night you see some nutter in car without a roof driving around

[peterux]

If anyone else is thinking of a M20B28 conversion, there is currently a 328i crankshaft on ebay...

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/BMW-E36-328i-M...item3cb25a9927

...peter

It sold very quickly after i posted this!

[peterux]

I managed to find a bit of garage time today and made some further progress on my engine build.

Here's some picture of the progress so far..
(all very familiar to those already completed this dirty task)
Looks like the engine had no problems with all valves and cylinders similar colour and in good condition. None of the valves were burnt or pitted.



885 head refurb. by marlinpeter, on Flickr


valves removed by marlinpeter, on Flickr


After first clean.... by marlinpeter, on Flickr

Theres a few more pics on my Flickr site.

There is lots more cleaning and polishing to do...

...peter

(P.S. you can now click on these embedded photo's for bigger versions)

has anybody seen this before?


Number 1 cylinder by marlinpeter, on Flickr

[peterux]

Santa Claus brought me a new pair of seats for my Marlin Sportster. My original seats were second-hand and were always intended to be temporary.


New seats by marlinpeter, on Flickr

Managed to finish fitting the first one Sunday. Quite a tight squeeze in the space available and, of course, I had to drill new mounting holes and fill the old ones. We chose these seats at last years Stoneleigh show. I think we tried every seat on display and chose these as the best comfort and support.

I've also found some time to clean my conrods and valves for the new engine.


Valves after cleaning by marlinpeter, on Flickr


320i Conrod by marlinpeter, on Flickr

[peterux]

Engine clean up....

Starting get rid of all the rust and grime. A few more hours with the wire brush and a gallon of paraffin should see it looking like new. I have a brand new water pump to replace that horrible example.


Clean up by marlinpeter, on Flickr


Crankshaft pully removal by marlinpeter, on Flickr

I thought getting the crankshaft timing belt pulley off was going to be difficult but with my machine mart bearing puller it came off without much effort. Unlike one of the water pump bolts that decided to snap off!

[Chris Cussen]

With my Puma having a rattle from the front of the engine being looked at (water pump, alternator, cam belt tensioner?) I have just had 50 mile of open top motoring to work in the Cabrio.

Mega-smug feeling on the M4 passing Mini Cooper and MX5 rag tops with their roof still up. Bunch of wooses.

[peterux]

I spent today removing the pistons and crankshaft from the 325i engine in preparation for the rebuild into a M20B28. Cylinder bores all look good. Main bearing and big end bearing shells will all be replaced. New bolts will also be purchased as they are stretch bolts and can't be re-used.



Crankshaft and pistons removed by marlinpeter, on Flickr

More pics on my Flickr site.

Anybody want a spare 325i crank? :Smile:


...peter

[Patrick]

LOL I have a spare 325 crank and also a cam

[GreatOldOne]

What, you haven't polished it all up and put it in the front room as an objet d'art?

On second thoughts, don't bother... You know me and cranks. I might need a spare.