S52 swap prep. Need advice.

[cmeptb13]

Hey fellas. So I finally got my hands on an s52. Pulled it today from a wrecked m3, everything went pretty smooth. Engine has 180K on it. Automatic trans. When we checked out the engine last week it started right up after it's been sitting for a while. I checked out the spark plugs and they were in an excellent shape. Compression was 180-185 throughout on a cold engine.

So the dilemma is this:

Original plan was to do basic shit. Cooling, gaskets, etc. Throw it in and hopefully get another 30K out of it, or so. Get it running so that I can get rid of my 545 and throw a bulk of cash at a "fresher" engine.

But now I feel bad for the engine since it appears to be in a good shape. Is it worth the time and the effort to refresh the bottom end? Specifically: Hone, Rings, and bearings. No more than that. And refresh the head. Valve seals and guides. That's about it. Since I'm planning on doing the headgasket anyway.

So basically should I invest into this engine or see how far it goes and get a lower mileage one?

Thanks.

[cmeptb13]

Guess ill post this shit on bimmerforums then...

[Farbin Kaiber]

Get it in, get it running, drive it for a while, work all the bugs out, then pull and refresh the longblock.

[mulletman]

If the engine is healthy, don't screw it up. Drive it until you want something else, engine-wise.

[DesertBMW]

Engine has 180K on it.

With that kind of mileage I can guarantee the timing chain guides are worn out and valve stem seals are hard as rock.

[cmeptb13]

Thanks guys. I was planning on addressing the chain guides/ tensioner.

[eurosport22]

i have a s50 and was in a boat similar to yours. my top end had already been freshened when the cams went in so i didnt have to wory about the top end but i just did gaskets and threw the motor in and havent been disappointed yet. i did it because i knew at some point i would have some ttrouble and need to pull the motor back out, so in the meantime while i drive it i am saving for turbo parts for when i do pull it haha. id freshen the top end and throw it in there and drive it

[cmeptb13]

^ cool thanks man

[cmeptb13]

Also I've been curious about the oil pump lifespan. Doing a search oil pump failures always leads to the backing off of the nut. Does anyone know if 180k oil pump would last? Since that would be the #1 potential engine failure. Replace it for the piece of mind? I appreciate the input.

[spiDmang]

Also I've been curious about the oil pump lifespan. Doing a search oil pump failures always leads to the backing off of the nut. Does anyone know if 180k oil pump would last? Since that would be the #1 potential engine failure. Replace it for the piece of mind? I appreciate the input.

you can drill the nut and basically "cotterpin" it, weld it, or locktite it. Im gonna red locktite mine, and see how it holds for my swap. GL!

[TheRealE30kidd]

you can drill the nut and basically "cotterpin" it, weld it, or locktite it. Im gonna red locktite mine, and see how it holds for my swap. GL!

I didnt have enough room to drill thru the nut so I just JB welded the Holy fuck out of it!

[cmeptb13]

You don't need to drill it yourself. Just buy one from bimmerworld for $10.
Anyway my question wasn't about the nut. It's about the pump itself.

[evandael]

i'm in a similar boat. i'm planning on doing a leakdown and if the results are favorable, just doing the following:

water pump, t stat, ya know..
HG and all gaskets and seals
new chain tensioners and guides
head tanked and skimmed
lapping the valves and seats
replacing the valve guides and seals
making an informed guess of the main/rod bearings

then throwing it in and seeing what OBD2 says!

[cmeptb13]

^ right on. I'm planning on doing the same, except I'm going to leave the bottom end alone for the time being. Other than cleaning some carbon off the top of the pistons. Going to drop the head off at a machine shop tomorrow.

[cmeptb13]

I ordered all new guide rails, tensioners, although from the looks of it only the primary tensioner seems in obvious need of replacement. Oh well.