Firstfives.org

Haven't done too much to Eleanor's engine, but here's the latest. http://www.keehncomputer.com/Photos/Heat_Shield_Installed_1.jpg I never liked how the old-style exhaust manifold heat shields would butt-up to the manifold itself, as this allows heat soak to occur, and the shield itself to become a h...

Karl, ...I was thinking more on your ticking noises and maybe your oil rail banjo bolt is loose? Check both banjo bolts and verify that they are tight. If not, then remove them, replace the copper crush washers, put some red locktite on the threads, and tighten them back up snugly. Before applying l...

Karl, Our cars have mechanical tappets with an eccentric end that needs to be adjusted every ~ 30k miles. The clearance between the eccentric and the valve is .012" at an ambient temperature of around 70 degrees. As for "sticking" valves? No, not that I'm aware of. Because it's all me...

Bareld, Check out www.realoem.com and make sure the part number matches with the gasket you want to use. When selecting your BMW, click on the "classic" section; there, you will see our E12's listed. Select your year and model and the engine section will have exactly what you are looking f...

Karl, I would highly recommend you get a pressure bleeder system like this https://youtu.be/-sF2aV5PE8Q . I've had my Motive Products bleeder for a long time now and I don't attempt brake bleeding jobs without it! Plus, Motive sells different brake reservoir caps, or you can make one yourself with J...

Continued: http://www.keehncomputer.com/Photos/Engine_Front_Covers_On.jpg Here's the engine timing chain covers bolted on. Looks quite good to see her coming back together. http://www.keehncomputer.com/Photos/The_Rear_Duck_Gasket.jpg But I can't forget the rear of the engine. Here, I'm installing th...

Check to make sure your cold air valve is working properly. It might be as simple as needing a cleaning. The idle air screw on the air flow meter is meant for fine-tuning, not to be a substitute for the cold air valve. On my car, my cold air valve is located under the intake manifold. You will need ...

So, if your guess was that I used paint, then you are correct! http://www.keehncomputer.com/Photos/Rustoleum_Enamel_Semi_Gloss_Silver.jpg I used Rustoleum's High-Heat Ultra Semi-Gloss Silver spray paint. It is an enamel, so it has a remarkably fast drying time. I opted for a toned-down silver becaus...

I forgot to upload a whole set of photos, so this set is out of order; it should come before my last post. http://www.keehncomputer.com/Photos/Eccentric_measurement_old.jpg One of the other performance upgrades I want Eleanor to have is a more pronounced camshaft. I purchased a camshaft with a more ...

Rebuilding the cylinder head is next. http://www.keehncomputer.com/Photos/Rocker_arm_install_alignment.jpg As a sanity check, I re-checked my old photos on proper installation of the thick and thin washers, this is how each should be installed. http://www.keehncomputer.com/Photos/Rocker_arm_install_...

Yikes! Glad to hear nothing bad happened to you. Also, as for "speedbleeders", I'd just use the pressure bleeder systems out there. I have a Motive Products pressure-bleeder I bought ages ago, and have used it on all my vehicles, using various adapters (including some I made myself). It's ...

To continue. http://www.keehncomputer.com/Photos/Jules_Verne_open_valve.jpg One of the other items on my checklist was to verify operation of the "Jules Verne" airflow device. This is a simple bi-metal thermal valve that opens and closes based on temperature. Here, at room temperature, the...

I'm wondering if it would perhaps, be more exacting, to set tappet clearance with the camshaft sideways, beginning its contact with the tappet surface. What I mean is, when the gentleman explains the gradual eccentricity slope is intended to "gently" engage with, and then press down the t...

Karl, In my experience throughout the years and various generations of bimmers (E12, E28, E34, E38, E46, E53), I have tried to avoid ZF as much as possible. They seem to enjoy "complicating" parts that have no business being complicated. I have dug through ZF and GM transmissions from my ...

Karl, In my experience throughout the years and various generations of bimmers (E12, E28, E34, E38, E46, E53), I have tried to avoid ZF as much as possible. They seem to enjoy "complicating" parts that have no business being complicated. I have dug through ZF and GM transmissions from my v...