Firstfives.org

Also wanted to mention that the crankshaft and head come from Al Taylor. His backyard at ONE of his properties (the one I visited) is littered with vintage bimmers in various states of disrepair. He has DOZENS of vintage BMW's. If I didn't have a 4-hour drive back home, I would have spent all-day ju...

I was just searching around the same topic and found this post on the FCP blog very informative: https://blog.fcpeuro.com/how-to-pick-the-right-coolant-for-your-car I’ve been running Zerex G-05 (HOAT) in my 944 and plan to do the same in the Bimmer. Sharky, This is a great find! Thank you for shari...

Today, I picked up the 86mm crank and corresponding 3.5l head (with camshaft sprocket...VERY important to have!). So yes, I have chosen the dark side. I looked up engines and it appears that BMW never made a 3.2l for the E12, making my build unique in that regard. While I do have the 3.5 head, I'm g...

So, I may have a lead on an 86mm crank and 3.5l cylinder head.

.....the 532i Eleanor might be a possibility after all.....

MTF.

Mike

On my 1976, the ground strap is right behind the alternator.



It is the black cable in the middle of the photo that is disconnected from the block.

Mike

:lol: I've been reviewing the interchanges between the 3.5l and 3.0l parts and if I wanted to make a true "stroker", I would need to get a different camshaft, sprockets and chain. Instead, I'm going to settle with merely boring out to 92mm to fit the updated pistons and use my existing rot...

Lock, Your post caused the light in my head to turn on (or, perhaps, the hamster to turn the wheel); why not overbore and put in oversized pistons? The block is stamped "3.0/3.3" and the cylinder wall is pretty thick, so overbore (to 92mm) wouldn't cause water jacket failure. I just jumped...

Adam,

Depending on where the crack(s) is/are, you might be able to get it welded and salvage the block.

Please keep us apprised on what happens either way.

Mike

PatinaBeforePolish wrote: ↑Thu Apr 16, 2020 9:48 am Keehn,

I have a set of NIB 86.08 with rings if that's any help. I think you want 86.22 though. I also have a 1980 block with about 89k on it that you're welcome to have at no charge. About 1 1/5 to 2 hours from you.

Patina,

I PM'd you.

Mike

Eff it, I sent back the normal sized rings because the gap was too large and ordered the .50 set. Upon realizing that the entire piston needed to be replaced to use the bigger ring (it's thicker), I'm going to re-order the normal sized rings and just tolerate the excessive gap, and send back these o...

Help! My M30B30 block bore is too large for the stock piston ring clearance, so I am looking for alternatives. Dealers online have listed the oversized pistons as unobtanium, and junkyards in my area don't have any 70-80's M30 bimmers in stock. Does anybody have a full M30 or oversized pistons they ...

Moving onto the cylinder head. http://www.keehncomputer.com/Photos/Cylinder_head1.jpg I bought this AMC-manufactured head last year from the BMWCCA chapter I'm a member of. The head had been refurbished and had new valves lapped and ready to go. However, the head sat for several years uncovered, so ...

http://www.keehncomputer.com/Photos/Block_paint_spray.jpg I sprayed two coats of the rust reformer and let it dry overnight. The next day, I sprayed a single coat of the black high-heat paint. It didn't look any different then the rust reformer, but I wanted the peace of mind to know that the black...

Karl, With the correct equipment, it's not too bad to change the mounts. You will need a floor jack to raise and a engine suspension bar to keep the engine in place. Also, I would suggest removing both mount nuts from the top beforehand. Of course, place a block of wood or other non-marring material...

Rishabhb, You didn't mention the temperature outside while you were idling, but it might be possible that your radiator or elsewhere in your coolant passages are blocked to varying degrees. Also, if you are still using the OEM brass radiator, you may want to seriously consider upgrading to the E28 a...