this engine will be the death of me

[ahalfacre5]

I got the car about 2 months ago (1987 325is) ran ok until I broke 2 rocker arms. pulled the head, had it cleaned, installed 2 new arms, and reinstalled.. its idiling strong IF I unplug the sensor from the air filter. if I plug it in, it dies. it also has a pretty major oil leak, smoke is pouring out of spark plugs I and 2, and it wont rev past 4k. I don't know if all this is related or if these are all different issues but if anyone knows whats up with any of that let me know. this engine is turning out to be one thing after another and I have yet to actually drive it. so if I cant save it.... I give up

[LJ851]

Start with the basics, do a leakdown test to determine your engines integrity.

[jlevie]

The misbehavior when the AFM is connected is most likely from intake leaks. Your description of the oil leak is a bit vague. But oil on the engine around cylinders 1 & 2 would be a leak from the valve cover, cam seal, or head gasket.

[ahalfacre5]

Well... I do have a head gasket leak... retorqing them in a bit to see if the head is just loose... any thoughts on why it wont Rev past 4k?

[markt51]

have you changed the fuel filter recently? usually if it hasnt been changed in a bit, it will cause the engine to sputter, lag out, etc. from clogging. Not sure if its doing either of those when it gets up to 4k. But if it hasnt been changed in a while, thats a good start, or at least good maintenance.

[AndrewBird]

The head bolts are stretch bolts, so a long as you torqued them down correctly the first time, tightening them more will do nothing.

[Kvasi]

The head bolts are stretch bolts, so a long as you torqued them down correctly the first time, tightening them more will do nothing.

And it isnt always wise to reuse them.
Some fabricators, for eksample Volvo, says its ok to use them a couple of times and some says no way. I agree with the last.

[ahalfacre5]

Thanks guys... I am just going retime the engine, replace gaskets, and rebuild the fuel injectors and see if that helps