Firstfives.org

Thanks for tip Greg - I will try that.

No smog and I agreed to that. Honestly I just loved it so much. I will replace the smog pump (seems frozen) and go from there.

I have some smog shops I used with my e24 and e31 and they always give me don't pass don't pay.

The accelerator sticks awful and he said that is why he didn't drive it.

We all have strange back stories so I hope to give this old boy a future and detail what will be done.

I will tackle the smog issue and accelerator first.

If smog goes well, I am changing hoses and belts and giving tune up.

I am looking for a mechanic I can trust and who I won't mind giving my money to - then I will get a quote for the engine swap to 3.5l.

It was almost impossible to find an auto e12!

It sounds like you have found a nice car. My white 78 is an AT - I have a parts car to swap to MT but may keep it as an auto because last year I bought a dark grey 1980 MT E12.

The accelerator linkage should be straight forward to to repair as its a process of replacing the bushings and return spring.

You asked about replacing the bushings and I can check my factory repair manual for the process on the weekend im traveling for business this week.

If you can find a blue factory service manual buy it they sometimes come up for sale for around $100.00. I love the looks of our cars and nearly bought a new one in 1978 but did not want to part with my ALFA at the time.

Did you post photos of the exterior yet? Would love to see those.

Oh and the Thermal Reactors are part of the exhaust manifolds a Google search should produce a diagram. They recirculate exhaust gas to reduce un burned hydro carbons so the problem is they can generate a lot of heat and crack heads.
If your car runs hot it is a symptom of a possible cracked head. But this is repairable as more M30 engines end up in the junk yards.

Jeff

Thanks Jeff. I found that the tension spring and shackle was missing and our dealership states Germany order and 10 - 14 weeks. Fabricated a temp spring. It looks like I can maneuver the rod around and put the bushings.

I need to get the smog pump hoses correct (it was frozen and I just replaced)but I don't know where this last hose goes?! Need photos of someone else's.

You don't happen to have 530i photos with EGR still on it?