newb questions about S52 swap

[madjurgen]

And on the reusing head bolts....this debate is ongoing on S14, there are reputable engine builders that say they can be reused, some say to get new. I have friends that have reused them with no ill effects.

Ha, thats where I got this from. Will and Nick said it was OK to reuse them, so I did on the S14.

[matt]

Use the s52 cams, cam trays, lifters, valves, valve springs etc.

[FredK]

Well, one tip is, do NOT install the cams on the head willy-nilly. This can result in breakage due to the material that BMW used in the cam and its long length. Read carefully on pelicanparts.com on a procedure on cam removal/installation prior to installing the cams.

Or if you are paranoid, borrow the hold-down tool, which still requires the cams to be positioned correctly, to install the cams.

[Larry e30]

like i said i'm a newb, I've taken out engines before, completely disassemble one (it was only used for training), but I've never taken the head off of one and put it on another especially a BMW. I'm trying to get all the information together I can get so I dont run into any surprises. Alldata, mitchell on demand all those programs are useless for my car becuase its a frankenstein m50 5 lug swap. just about everything has been changed. i'm going to be using this thread for a lot of questions, so please bare with me. I'm also concerned about the motor mounts and whether or not I should stick with the m50 valvetrain or s52. i appreciate all the help

[FredK]

um, M50 head bolts are definitely torque to yield, and they're only $25 a set. Cheap insurance in comparison to S14 head bolts which are $9 each.

[gobuffs]

If you are asking these questions, do you have the know how and abilities to undertake such a project?


And on the reusing head bolts....this debate is ongoing on S14, there are reputable engine builders that say they can be reused, some say to get new. I have friends that have reused them with no ill effects.

[Larry e30]

Alright cool, is there anything else that shouldn't be reused other than gaskets?

[Drew325is]

Those are not head studs. And to the original poster, BMW oem head bolts as Matt said ARE torque to yield. Head STUDS on the other hand are not, in most cases you can reuse head studs. A new set from pelican is dirt cheap, I don't know why you would even think about reusing the old ones to save like $30......
Max

Sorry, meant bolts...and I agree with not reusing them.

[broke30]

Head studs are not something I would be going to ebay for. Also, buy a good workshop manual (e.g. Bentley) and follow the correct 3-stage torque-down procedure.

Those are not head studs. And to the original poster, BMW oem head bolts as Matt said ARE torque to yield. Head STUDS on the other hand are not, in most cases you can reuse head studs. A new set from pelican is dirt cheap, I don't know why you would even think about reusing the old ones to save like $30......
Max

[Van Westervelt]

Just pick them up at the Dealer. They are only like $40. Or call up BMAparts.com and make an order for them.

[Drew325is]

I'd just be going somewhere I'm 100% sure of (maybe that's Bavauto Rec - I have no experience with them, and am not trying to knock them)...but in this case I'd just suggest having some local accountablility and maybe get some technical advice as well.

[quillbro]

Head studs are not something I would be going to ebay for. Also, buy a good workshop manual (e.g. Bentley) and follow the correct 3-stage torque-down procedure.

They're from Bavauto recycling and supposedly new... but yeah im a newb at these things anyway...whats a good source? Id rather not lay out 189dollars for the APR ones.

[Drew325is]

Head studs are not something I would be going to ebay for. Also, buy a good workshop manual (e.g. Bentley) and follow the correct 3-stage torque-down procedure.

[quillbro]

Found a link to em on Fleabay...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Parts-Accessories_Car-Truck-Parts-Accessories__BMW-Set-14-of-Cylinder-Head-Bolts-S50-S52-M3_W0QQitemZ320225028950QQddnZPartsQ20Q26Q20AccessoriesQQadnZCarQ20Q26Q20TruckQ20PartsQ20Q26Q20AccessoriesQQddiZ2811QQadiZ2865QQcmdZViewItem?_trksid=p3756.m20.l1116

Install correctly? I imagine thats a Cris-Cross incremental torque pattern with a certain lb/ft torque spec? Care to tell?

[matt]

Buy them from BMW or OEM, they are sold in a set. You need to install them properly also... this is critical.