Charcoal Canister and PS Reservoir

[BonnschE30]

What are you guys doing to relocate these parts? I know some people delete the charcoal canister, but I'm a fan of the OEM look with OEM pieces that function as they're supposed to.

This is some of the red tape that you never see in the M50 swap threads and probably some of the most time consuming issues of my project...Nothing fits where its supposed to anymore, so anybody who's contemplating the swap, prepare yourself!

[FredK]

I used the stock M50 location for the PS reservoir. It's a round bracket that mounts to the intake side engine mount arm. This requires shortening the stock hoses by quite a bit. You have to cut a little at a time to avoid cutting too much.

I also put the charcoal canister nearly in the same location as stock, in the stock bracket, except moved up around 2 inches.

[BonnschE30]

Cool thanks for the info and quick response Fred. I've already got the idea of moving the PS reservoir down and shortening the hoses, but I haven't found anything that looks like a good location. I'll have to go to the yard tomorrow to find the M50 bracket. So you have it underneath the intake/MAF then, right?

Also, any hints on mounting an e36 M42 radiator? The temp switch is on the opposite side as the E30, and the mounts are some crappy plastic clips that won't line up flush with the upper radiator support due to it's outward curvature...

[blackhawkimpact]

I did exactly what fred did. There's two holes on the engine mount arm where you can bolt on the bracket for the PS. For the charcoal, I bolted it in the stock location. Didn't need to move it up at all.

[FredK]

I'll have to go to the yard tomorrow to find the M50 bracket. So you have it underneath the intake/MAF then, right?

Yes, it's below the level of the intake and MAF, towards the front of the engine mount arm.

Also, any hints on mounting an e36 M42 radiator? The temp switch is on the opposite side as the E30, and the mounts are some crappy plastic clips that won't line up flush with the upper radiator support due to it's outward curvature...

I used an E36 M42 radiator, and the temp switch is on the same side as the E30--on the passenger side of the car. The expansion tank should be on the driver's side.

On a late model car, you can use the late model radiator mounts and rubber feet, together with the upper radiator bracket that bolts to the top of the radiator support.

[BonnschE30]

Thanks for the info guys, I appreciate it.

Maybe I am a moron, but I have an early model (87 ETA) and just quickly glanced at the M42 radiator and the sensor was on the passenger's side as Fred mentioned, but I thought I recalled my wiring being on the driver's side? Regardless, I will go to the yard today to pick up a few odds and ends to try and get this right.

I'll update the thread again once I see how things line up...

[Gnarles]

I flipped the charcoal canister bracket over and bolted it back in to the stock location. This moves the canister back towards the firewall and gives plenty of room for it to fit.

[samiam3356]

[BonnschE30]

Well, I'm pretty sure I messed up by not installing the charcoal canister before the engine was dropped back in. Lack of patience always seems to be my downfall. I can't really see how I will put it back in the stock location with the PS hose coming from the rack in the way, and I think I left my fuel lines a little too long back there, which is making it all but a PITA.

On a lighter note, the M50 PS bracket works like a charm, I'd highly recommend taking Fred's advice and trim the hoses a little at a time. This method will ensure the perfect fit.

Thanks for the pic Sam, but what are you doing for a mounting bracket? I see a bag of zip-ties there...

As of right now I'm contemplating putting it on the bottom of the driver's side frame rail with a nut on a stud that's already there, and then lengthining each hose.

[samiam3356]

It's just zip tied to the frame right there. Theres a lip that holds it snug and its not very heavy so it will be fine.

[herlsy]

For the charcoal canister i just flipped the bracket 180 degrees and mounted it. This will probably only work if you have the fuel filter in the rear though.

[Dominic49]

i used the e34 charcoal bracket and mounted it up behind the frame rails.

[BonnschE30]

So I have successfully mounted both parts...here's what I did:

Charcoal canister bracket was flipped backwards as Gnarles mentioned, don't push it down too far or it will hit the steering knuckle. I am using the E30 canister and I shortened both hoses.

M50 PS reservoir and M50 bracket were used, both hoses were shortened as well. Take Fred's advice and don't try to cut them to fit 100% the first time, its a process!

All in all, this stuff is really easy people just dont take the time to document these problem areas in most swap threads I've seen.

E36 M42 radiator will mount up using the upper radiator support bracket from E30, however I dont see my M20 fan/clutch working as there is contact on the side of the radiatior due to the short width of the M42 radiator. Also, I'm pretty sure my temp sensor wiring is on the driver's side, where as the radiator is on the passenger.

This is where I am at now, I dont want to start a new thread so maybe somebody will have some info...

Thanks again for all of the helpful responses.

[BonnschE30]

true fact: m20 fan/clutch assembly will work with m42 radiator. you have to get a little creative with the mounting, but the fan blades clear the driver's side by close to 1/2" I used a late model e30 upper radiator support and 2 self tapping screws to snug the radiator up against it as tight as possible, all while pushing the radiator as far to the driver's side frame rail as possible. shimmed the bottom mounts up using a couple washers, its a nice and snug fitment.

we'll see how it goes once this sucker starts turning. now its time to get this stupid CSB pressed onto my e36 driveshaft.

that is all.

[rosphill]

PS reservoir and charcoal canister

I just moved the pwr steering reservoir down and over to where it cleared the rubber intake boot. I attached two pics that show how I mounted it up.
Not sure if how I did it is good or right, it's just how we ended up mounting it for now..

That's really good idea mounting PS rez in the round bracket off of the motor mount point though.
And the way you mounted charcoal canister horizontally on the side there is a nice solution too.

How important is it to have the charcoal canister hooked up? I haven't installed it back on yet and just temporarily plugged the line on the throttle body where it would connect...