Removed valve cover, found something scary

[Drive Old Cars]

I was going to do a valve adjustment yesterday, and when i removed my valve cover i found this...



How long do you all think i can drive like this? i would imagine that its has been like that for a long time now.
Also if anyone has a good condition head in CT that they woudnt mind giving away for cheap PM me.
Mike

[sarcasmkillsme]

Photo is way too small to see anything.

[Cabriolet]

Photo is way too small to see anything.

+1 but you can see that the rocker shaft is not being held in place due to the price of head missing.

i wouldnt race this car, but as a daily beater driven slowly it wouldnt be the end of the world. source a new head so when it goes you are ready.

[Drive Old Cars]

Yeah i know pic is small, it is my daily. my buddy has a head for me i just need to bring it to a shop and have it checked. and prob p&p and 3 angle vlve job while its there.

my main concern is drivability for the meantime. it should hold up for a while i think. im just glad i found and took the peice of aluminum out that was sitting next to one of my valve springs

[reelizmpro]

Where is the missing piece? I've seen a few of those welded up before. Not saying that's the way to go these days since you can find used heads for cheap.

[slammin.e28]

I had an M30 that happened to. Got it welded up for like 20bux. Then a machine shop to bore it out to spec.*

*Never did this as the machine shop decked the head first and it was WAY warped.

I'd throw a new head in the trunk, track the shit out of that motor, and swap the head trackside when it lets loose.

[Drive Old Cars]

i have the missing peice, it is a little beat up from getting tossed arownd in the head, but having it welded in sounds like a good temp solution

[LowR3V'in]

Funny, this happened to my m20 when I removed the headbolts.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v163/glowkid/BMW/M20%20Turbo%20build/SANY0023.jpg

[Drive Old Cars]

Funny, this happened to my m20 when I removed the headbolts.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...d/SANY0023.jpg

Damn, thats shitty. did you have it welded back on? or new head?

[Cabriolet]

this is why u want to loosen the head bolts in order, it can stress the head is you dont.

[chadthestampede]

I was expecting like horror movie scary. I am disappoint.