I can has M50?

[Keanan]

Wait 4 CM is a lot. I only took off 4 MM. All the machine shop stuff is in the Technology Department at Walla Walla University, since I am an Automotive Technology major I can use any of the equipment. It is a really good program here, and the facilities aren't bad either. They have a Welding lab with most any welding setup you might need, a machining lab with Lathes, Mills, Drill Presses, Grinders, and Presses. There is also the Auto shop, they have A/C Equipment, Lifts, Computerized Alignment rack, GT 1 Scan tool, and a Mustang AWD Dyno. Once I get the engine in and running I will do some testing on the dyno. It will be fun to play around on.

[Keanan]

It runs!

I haven't updated this in a while so here is what I have been up to:
I spent a lot of time working on the car in the last week and a half. Sunday the 22nd I finished assembling the engine and wiring harness. I also installed the Z3 rack and steering linkage. No modification was needed on the linkage. I just slid it up the steering column shaft half an inch. As long as the u joint doesn't touch the column it should work ok. I was glad it worked out this way because I didn't really want to make shims and shorten it.
Monday the 23rd I put the engine into the car. It went in fairly easily. I moved the sway bar out of the way and took off the ac compressor to give more clearance. Tuesday the 24th I hooked up wiring and power steering hoses. I used the E34 Supply Line (high pressure side) with a couple minor bends to it. Fluid cooling curls went closer to the rack. I cut up the E30 return line and adapted it to fit the shorter distance.
Wednesday the 25th I finished everything up and got the coolant hoses all sorted and heater core flushed out. I really wanted to start it but I needed the new radiator. I chose a 318 radiator with the integrated reservoir because I think it looks cleaner than running a remote reservoir. Thursday the 26th, The radiator got here at 8 am so I quickly installed it and added coolant. I primed the fuel system and got ready for blast off. I turned the key, the starter turned and the engine fired up first try. It was just headers so things were real loud but it sounded good. I let it idle for a minute then I turned it off and added more coolant. Then I quickly ran to class for two hours. I didn't work on it again until Sunday evening. I went snowboarding instead. M50 swaps are cool but 2 feet of new snow in 3 days is a little bit better, maybe.

Sunday I started it again, after running for a bit the temp was climbing high so I turned it off and did other stuff.
Monday evening I added more coolant and ran it for a while. It seemed to get hot easily so I tried bleeding it again and again and again. No real luck.

This morning I drained everything out of the radiator and block. I then slow added coolant and let it sit for a while to let it drain into the system. Eventually I had added 2 gallons so I called it good and put on the reservoir cap. I started it and ran it for a 20 minutes with no problems. I think it is bled fairly well. I drove it around the block a few times and things were good. Tomorrow it is going into the exhaust shop. I am planning on running the Schmeidmann headers down to a y pipe into single 3 inch cat out to y pipe into stock dual pipe muffler. Not sure what that will sound like but it sure will be quieter than it is now.

I only have a couple pictures uploaded right now. I will post more tomorrow.

[SiGmA_X]

Nice progress! Where you went wrong with the coolant bleed was you caped the system before it was mostly up to temp, and you need to give it some RPM's to help it bleed. Fill it cold, start it w/ heater on full hot/low fan speed, hold rev's at ~1500-2000 and add coolant as needed, and cap it when it starts overflowing. You'll never have an overheating issue if you do it like this :)

[SpecM]

I did not see a pic with you standing in the empty engine bay

you have not kept our most treasured engine-swap traditions

I am disappointed

[Keanan]

I filled the cooling system and bled it as SiGmA X described. But was only able to get in about 1 gallon. When I drained the whole system then refilled it very slowly I was able to put in 2 gallons. I then ran it for a while then let it cool off afterwards I topped it off.

I searched to see if anyone had any special trick to bleeding it everyone said about the same thing but one thing I noticed is that everyone said to run the blower. Some said slow speeds other said high speed.
I would like to know how running the fan will help bleed the system. The fan circuit does not affect the water shutoff valve or any other cooling system component. The only way running the fan might help is it might cause small vibrations the will help the bubbles find their way out of the system.


I forgot to take a picture of me in the engine bay. I was to focused on working to stop and goof off taking pictures. I take more pictures when I am working slowly, but if I am trying to get something done I don't take very many pictures.

Today I took the car to the exhaust shop and had them finish up what I wasn't able to do. I would really like to have a pipe bender!

Tonight I did an alignment. Then drove it around afterwards. Everything turned out well. The Z3 rack is really nice. To make a 90 degree corner you only have to turn your wheel 3/4 a turn. And it feels good, not like an e30 rack that is to easy with power steering but a little to hard with out power steering. It is in the middle, I think they should have put these on E30s as the stock rack. I really want to see how it works at the next autocross.

[twothrees]

Congrats! I enjoyed your build thread.

[Keanan]

[r75]

congrats-

looks like a good program and facilities.

more pictures at some point?

[Keanan]

congrats-

looks like a good program and facilities.

more pictures at some point?

Do you want more pictures of the car or of the shop?

[StereoInstaller1]

Keanan, great looking swap.

Everything run/looks/sounds good?

If you are coming to the Seattle area anytime soon, I would love to see your car.

Great job, man!

Luke

[hoveringuy]

Where did you get that exhaust hangar? Did the exhaust shop source that for you?

[bmwlover0725]

I want a video of this running now :)

[Keanan]

It is running fairly well except for a high idle. I think it is mainly just when it is cold though, but it doesn't really make sense. On cold starts it seems to idle at 1500 rpm longer than it should. I did a smoke test to see if it was from a vacuum leak but that isn't it, the engine is sealed up really well.

I don't know when I will be in the Seattle area next, for sure I will be there for the E30 picnic.

I just got the hanger from the exhaust shop then I had to bolt it up and weld it on there. Things were pretty solid before but this provides good support for the middle parts.

I'll try to get a video up in the next few days.

[1mz]

hey man - any chance you can help me out with some build resources? Im tryin to build a m50 from the ground up and I got it in pieces. I've searched, I've googled, and I'm continuing to do so, but I could use all the help people are willing to give.

[iwantspeed]

Keanan

nice project
nice use of the tools and assets around you.
how much did the parts for rebuild and the cost for block and head work, if you don't mind me asking.