Someone forgot to do a timing belt change

[LagunaSecaBlue]

Turn over car, something is making a pinging noise. Pull valve cover, The head is toast. What is my cheapest option because its a budget build.

Swap it with another M20? Rebuild?

Part out my bad engine or Sell it in its current condition?

(This is the car I just pulled from the yard)

[rjohs]

Not much experience here, but I would think the least expensive route would be to find a replacement head and swap it in. I don't think there is usually much damage to the lower end, so swapping the whole M20 is not necessary.

I've read estimates in other threads/boards that rebuilding a head after this type of damage is $1500 or more, but again no experience, just hear-say...

Rich

[Ether-D]

Not much experience here, but I would think the least expensive route would be to find a replacement head and swap it in. I don't think there is usually much damage to the lower end, so swapping the whole M20 is not necessary.

I've read estimates in other threads/boards that rebuilding a head after this type of damage is $1500 or more, but again no experience, just hear-say...

Rich

^This.

You can get a head at the pull apart for $80.

[Cabriolet]

get a PnP head - have it pressure tested/ machined, get new Contitech TB and Graf WP then get BMW or Gotez only head gasket and get the BMW bolts only. get the whole victor riens top gasket set and then you will need to order a cam seal. the whole job should take 4-10 hours, depending on your skill and you will need a good torque wrench. total cost will be less than 1k.

[LagunaSecaBlue]

Timing guide broke, not the belt.

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[dahows]

Listen to this guy, he's sharing good advice:

get a PnP head - have it pressure tested/ machined, get new Contitech TB and Graf WP then get BMW or Gotez only head gasket and get the BMW bolts only. get the whole victor riens top gasket set and then you will need to order a cam seal. the whole job should take 4-10 hours, depending on your skill and you will need a good torque wrench. total cost will be less than 1k.

[efficient]

get a PnP head - have it pressure tested/ machined, get new Contitech TB and Graf WP then get BMW or Gotez only head gasket and get the BMW bolts only. get the whole victor riens top gasket set and then you will need to order a cam seal. the whole job should take 4-10 hours, depending on your skill and you will need a good torque wrench. total cost will be less than 1k.

and dont forget to clean the threads on the block were the head bolts go to get a correct reading

[MR 325]

I've read estimates in other threads/boards that rebuilding a head after this type of damage is $1500 or more, but again no experience, just hear-say...

Well I sell rebuilt heads that are ported and polished with HD rocker arms and a performance cam for $1395 shipped so a stock head definitely wouldn't be $1500 plus! I'm not trying to advertise as I don't think the OP wants one of these but just replying to your hearsay. :D

Timing guide broke, not the belt.

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Timing guide?

[LagunaSecaBlue]

Meant to say Timing belt tensioner.

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[SmokeE30]

Cheapest way is usually to try to find a good deal on a whole engine so you don't have to pay for all new gaskets and bolts and such. $150 for an engine plus timing belt and fluids and stuff putting it in could be under $250-300 if you play your cards right.

[redsubdivisions]

At that point, I would look into an M50 swap. the only thing that I do not like about M20's is the timing belt, especially when it goes.

[LagunaSecaBlue]

Cheapest way is usually to try to find a good deal on a whole engine so you don't have to pay for all new gaskets and bolts and such. $150 for an engine plus timing belt and fluids and stuff putting it in could be under $250-300 if you play your cards right.

So where can I find an engine that cheap, will PnP sell them that cheap?

[SmokeE30]

So where can I find an engine that cheap, will PnP sell them that cheap?

yes that would be PnP prices and thus you would have to search around for one in good shape but ive done it plenty of times before, just takes a little time

[LagunaSecaBlue]

yes that would be PnP prices and thus you would have to search around for one in good shape but ive done it plenty of times before, just takes a little time

I know where every E30 is in all the yards in Phoenix. Just gotta find the best condition and best price.

[TobyB]

Broke the rocker tube loops, then?

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