sump bracket removal, ok to loosen one main cap?

[FredK]

I want to remove the oil sump bracket on my engine, so I can install a 525i oil pan. Can I just remove the bolts from the bearing cap that retains it, remove main cap then the bracket, and reinstall the main bearing cap? These aren't stretch bolts and can be reused, if I recall correctly.

I don't want to just break the sump bracket off, because I may want to transplant it into an E36 at a later date. That would require reinstalling the sump bracket etc.

Also, the M50 windage tray needs to be removed to fit the 525i pan, right?

Thanks!

[mentaleeill]

yes the tray needs to come off. use a torque wrench to take the cap bolts off and reinstall them at the same torque and you should be fine. but i just snapped mine off.

[PeaveyBassist]

Take one bolt out and twist the bracket, reinstall bolt and torque to spec. Then undo the other cap bolt and take off bracket. Reinstall bolt and torque to spec.

Will

[Brew]

That bracket is pretty cheap, less than $4. I would (and did) just break off the bracket, and if you do end up installing the motor in an e36 down the road (why the hell would you do that? :)), you can buy the bracket then.

[FredK]

Thanks guys.

if you do end up installing the motor in an e36 down the road (why the hell would you do that? :)), you can buy the bracket then.

Well, I was thinking if I ever decide to sell the car, it's be easier to just part it out than to try to sell a $7000 E30. Retaining the bracket and S50 oil pan will ensure being able to sell the engine to both E36 or E30 owners. Not that I'd install it in an E36... that'd be

[erik325i]

yes the tray needs to come off.

Just to clarify, the e36 tray comes off, right? The e34 tray stays in the oilpan?

I removed the e36 windage tray, but the e34 tray is hitting the side of the block and not letting the oilpan line up correctly. Did you guys just grind away part of the e34 tray?

-Erik

[mentaleeill]

no, just removed 325 tray and oil pan with the 525 tray went right on.

[equate975]

I dont think anyone has ever mentioned this in any swap articles.

Took me a long time to figure that out when I was trying to put the new pan in. I ended up dremeling the old one off.

[Beej '86 325es]

Which of these parts do I need?
Just 6, 7, and 8?

Is it the bracketry on the pump you guys are talking about modifying?

[erik325i]

Which of these parts do I need?
Just 6, 7, and 8?

Is it the bracketry on the pump you guys are talking about modifying?

Yes, you just need 6, 7, & 8.

It is the oil tray thing on the e34 oilpan that needs to be grinded a little. Also, one other bracket that holds the e36 oil pickup needs to be removed.

-Erik