E30 Vert Power to Manual Conversion Guide

[E30nub1]

i finished mine about a month ago.. all except for removing the one hex bolt that holds in the motor which moves the top itself up and down.. now the fact that the motor and off of it workings at the top are still there means the right side of the top lip will not close all the way... it will latch but will not close.. any suggestions on how to remove that one hex outside of drilling?

[catuned]

^Your going all the way on this! Nice!

[robrez]

3. If you were a more compulsive personality, you would also weld in the attachments to have the itty bitty shocks that hold up the storage lid. I did not, my shoulder works fine.

For the compulsive types, here are the brackets you need to install



I'm looking for a pair of these brackets, preferably in sterling silver, to complete my conversion

[catuned]

Added your input at the top! Thank you!

[funcrew]

Great write-up, thanks! I just completed mine without having seen it. Had a few frustrations, but I'm not a guru mechanic like many on R3V, and was also dealing with semi-non-related problems inherited from the idiot PO.

Tips from my install:

0. The top is easy, you just disconnect all the motor stuff and remove it - no parts are needed. You will need a torch or grinder to cut off the motor-to-top-frame push-arm. The tricky stuff for me was the storage flap.

1. Clean the two cable-released catches, then apply penetrating oil to the hinges and work a tiny bit of vaseline into the sliding surfaces of the moving parts. This will make the catches pop easier when pulling the release handle.

2. Pushing the long cable for the passenger-side catch under the carpet, it can get kinked and caught halfway where the slot in the sheetmetal widens out. If you don't get it through in one push, you will have to pull up the carpet, or use a stiff wire to fish the cable through.

3. If you were a more compulsive personality, you would also weld in the attachments to have the itty bitty shocks that hold up the storage lid. I did not, my shoulder works fine.

4. After some trial and error, I fished the two cables through into the interior from the top storage area and attached them to the release handle there. Don't forget the rubber grommet at the bulkhead.

5. When you pry the little end caps off the cable-to-handle attachment barrels, item 12 in the diagram, they will go flying and you will never see them again. Be careful.

6. You will need to adjust the longer, passenger-side cable via the built-in hex screw thing so the two catches release at the same time. If there is not enough adjustment, you can slot several small washers and use them at the cable-to-catch joint to take up slack.

7. On mine, even with the catches as far up in the chassis slots as they would go, the hoops (item 3 in the diagram) hanging down from the lid were not low enough to latch reliably. I had to install a few fender washers between the lid and the hoops to get the interface right.

[catuned]

so i guess it's part # 7 along with upper/lower bush and #12 covering caps?

You need 472, 473 and 2 caps correct.

[goldtl]

so i guess it's part # 7 along with upper/lower bush and #12 covering caps?

[catuned]

http://realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?...05&hg=41&fg=55

and

[goldtl]

yes...that piece

[catuned]

The carabiner?

http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x73/catuned/Auto%20Heaven/Misc2.jpg

[goldtl]

do you have the part # for the part that goes in to the handle that holds the cables and the end caps?

[E30nub1]

Still didn't get it.. The top closes alright but you have to kind of stuff the passenger side down a bit bc of the top of the engine mechanism I am considering just drilling through the screw.. Idk I will tackle the rest sunday

[catuned]

You can try using locking jaw pliers and clamp on the outside of the bolt.

[E30nub1]

ARRRRGGG i cant for the life of me get that fucking hex off of the top of the mechanism that is attached to the motor inside the stow away compartment for the top........FUCKING SON OF A

i have gotten everything else off but this mother is driving me crazy..im soo close.. the left side stows perfectly and even closes.. but damn..

[1991 e30 bmw 318is]

this is on my to-do list.... when i find the parts...