S50 Valve Retainers

[ck_taft325is]

My S50 is 04/94 build date. I just had my headgasket go kaput while idling and there was zero over heating. So with a massive "while I'm in there" moment, I figure I'll do retainers and the VANOS repair kit from Beisen Systems along with the head gasket, studs, ect... the question is:

1. Where do I get "upgraded" valve retainers?
2. Will the late S52 valve retainers be "upgraded" versions of the previously inadequate retainer?
3. Roughly the cost on "upgraded" valve retainers?

Thanks fellas.

[etxxz]

first you need to find out WHY the head gasket went. otherwise it could happen again.

As for the retainers its a good call, specially if the engine has seen overheating in the past. My OPN failed once, cams seized, valve cover internals melted from the heat it was a disaster. I re-used the valvetrain and 6months of track later i dropped a valve from a retainer that split in half at the track.. the result, the stem separated from the head, which embedded itself upside down on the piston explosion welding itself in place and stamping the head in a beautiful way. It had to have been heat related to the first failure. I threw everything away basically.

The Valve "Keepers" are p# 11-34-1-461-405-M80, 1.75e =$84+ship

[JRKOUPE]

My S50 is 04/94 build date. I just had my headgasket go kaput while idling and there was zero over heating. So with a massive "while I'm in there" moment, I figure I'll do retainers and the VANOS repair kit from Beisen Systems along with the head gasket, studs, ect... the question is:

1. Where do I get "upgraded" valve retainers?
2. Will the late S52 valve retainers be "upgraded" versions of the previously inadequate retainer?
3. Roughly the cost on "upgraded" valve retainers?

Thanks fellas.

the currently avail retainerrs are an oe stock part no., ...and better than the 95 stuff.

[FredK]

Yes, in late 1996 the old spring plates were officially superseded, so you can rest assured, any upper spring plates you get now will be of the new hardened type.

[Reckless_Havoc]

My S50 is 04/94 build date. I just had my headgasket go kaput while idling and there was zero over heating.

That sucks man! Sorry to hear.

[ck_taft325is]

133xxx miles in a stock head gasket. Probably just it's time. Having the head planed but, it never over heated. Between 3 and 4 is the most common failure point. Compression before it went in was good so I'm pretty sure it's alright.

[e30rapidic]

I have a head off an S50 and one from an M52. The retainers don't look much different from each other but the S50's are discolored and have what appear to be hairline cracks. Could just be surface imperfections but I am doing the swaparoo (of course).

[ck_taft325is]

That sucks man! Sorry to hear.

Hey! Yeah it happens, man. It's always sometime. It's getting done up though and after all is said and done it'll be a near fully refreshed S50'd e30 early model. Have to aim towards Euro bumpers though. Definately want to get those in the next few months.

[ck_taft325is]

Well, no visible signs of catastrophic head gasket failure which is disconcerting BUT, the retainers looked fucking chewed up. Really dodged a bullet.

[EN318isPDX]

Well, no visible signs of catastrophic head gasket failure which is disconcerting BUT, the retainers looked fucking chewed up. Really dodged a bullet.

Good to hear, i gotta check into this myself since i am buying a 1995 S50

[ck_taft325is]

After 06/95 (IIRC) they went to the late model valve retainers, or S52 retainers as they carried them into the S52 series of engines. Definately look at it early on. It's well worth the hassle of tearing it down to know that you're not going to explode gloriously on the side of the highway.

[FredK]

Yeah, the supersession date is 9/95.

My friend had a similar HG blowout. He was just driving the speed limit in 5th gear, and there was an imperceptible hiccup and the engine started to stumble a bit, then he shut it down. I guess it was just bad luck!

[ck_taft325is]

Yeah, the supersession date is 9/95.

My friend had a similar HG blowout. He was just driving the speed limit in 5th gear, and there was an imperceptible hiccup and the engine started to stumble a bit, then he shut it down. I guess it was just bad luck!

Well at least I'm not the only one ;)

He have any issues beyond HG replacement?

[FredK]

I don't remember... I think it was just a light skim and HG replacement.

[ck_taft325is]

I don't remember... I think it was just a light skim and HG replacement.

Well, that's good to hear.