m52 to ZF Tranny what amI missing?

[mightywhitey]

First time Ive ever pulled a engine and put one back in so please excuse my silliness if this is ridiculous but...

I just got the engine ( 01/1996 E36 328i Sedan M52 USA Left hand drive Manual) mated to the tranny (02/1998 E36 328i Sedan M52 USA Left hand drive Manual) and from what I understood there is nothing between the bell housing and the motor.

This I think is my first mistake as all the people I asked are not BMW people more GM Ford people so imagine my surprise when I get them mated and there is a large opening on the passenger side. I searched REALOEM for part numbers or a pic of this mystery but I fail. Come to my aid internets.

(I got the engine and trans separately before you ask me what was there when I took em apart)

[mightywhitey]

diagrams for trans year

http://realoem.com/bmw/partgrp.do?model=CD33&mospid=47501

Diagram for motor year

http://realoem.com/bmw/partgrp.do?model=CD33&mospid=47501

[mightywhitey]

Actually I think its this

05 Covering plate 1 11142243305 $11.15

[cabin]

Yup that is the part you are looking for. It's just a stamped piece of sheet metal...

[328ijunkie]

Sheet metal. You need it for a number of reasons. And obviously youre missing the starter.

[mightywhitey]

yup.

[Jand3rson]

So do you need that for any 24V swap, even if you're using a G260? Because I didn't get that with my M50.

[drumad]

ugh, how many of you have this installed? I finally dropped the motor in yesterday and didnt install this
(PC-5 above)

[mightywhitey]

I deffinetly noticed the giant gaping hole on the passenger side of the trans. My friend was like maybe its so you can inspect your clutch but I knew somthing was up. Time to pull it out, you dont want a bolt to fall in there.