Doing an engine refresh, what's the best gasket kit + water pump available?

[rturbo 930]

Hey guys, I just picked up a JY M20, and I want to freshen it up a bit before it swap it in. I'm not doing the head gasket or anything with the internals, but I want to do pretty much every other gasket on it. I see VR (noooo) and Elring Klinger gasket sets on Pelican, but not Goetze, which I understand to be the best available aside from OEM. What's my best option here? I can't afford OEM.

As for the water pump, what's the brand to get? And can a later (88+) water pump be used on an 87 engine? I know the cooling systems are different, but my plan was to just swap most of what's on my '88 engine onto the new '87 engine, since my understanding is that the blocks are nearly the same, based on what I read here.

I see two options for the rear main seal on Pelican, one does not have a tension spring. Is that an upgrade, or should I get this one?


Edit: Anyone have a preference for replacement exhaust studs?

[Lugnuts]

Hey guys, I just picked up a JY M20, and I want to freshen it up a bit before it swap it in. I'm not doing the head gasket or anything with the internals, but I want to do pretty much every other gasket on it. I see VR (noooo) and Elring Klinger gasket sets on Pelican, but not Goetze, which I understand to be the best available aside from OEM. What's my best option here? I can't afford OEM.

Have you tried other supplier websites?

I've used VR intake manifold, exhaust heat shield, tb-manifold gaskets and they seem to be holding up OK. I had a VR rocker cover gasket until I swapped it out for a Goetze (only because I kept repeatedly popping the cover to check valve clearance causing the sealing bead to look a little tired - was working fine otherwise). Probably used a few other VR o-ring type seals elsewhere too. Pretty sure my front cam seal is a VR. Too early to tell if they'll hold up. Personally, I think it's just the HG people have had issues with. Corteco/CFY Freudenberg also make some good seals - think both my rear diff flange seals, front main and intermediate shaft seals are Corteco.

As for the water pump, what's the brand to get? And can a later (88+) water pump be used on an 87 engine? I know the cooling systems are different, but my plan was to just swap most of what's on my '88 engine onto the new '87 engine, since my understanding is that the blocks are nearly the same, based on what I read here.

Can't answer your compatibility question (check realoem?), but I hear Geba, Hepu, Graf and Saleri all make good pumps. I've personally only used a Hepu to date.

I see two options for the rear main seal on Pelican, one does not have a tension spring. Is that an upgrade, or should I get this one?

There was a thread somewhere discussing this. Someone complained theirs (without the tension spring) leaked after install. Turned out they dinged the sealing edge when installing it. I've got the non-spring tensioner version installed on my M20 and it's working fine - no leaks (admittedly I only have about 1500k on the clock since the rebuild). Make sure you seal the flywheel bolts with Curil-T! (or similar).

Edit: found the thread, although the pics are now 404.... http://www.e30tech.com/forum/showthread.php?t=77926 http://www.e30tech.com/forum/showthread.php?t=106321

Edit: Anyone have a preference for replacement exhaust studs?

Checking my order history, I bought the Genuine BMW ones from Pelican...$12 for a full set, so not exactly a wallet bruiser.

[MR 325]

We have been using Elring upper and lower gasket sets on all of our builds. Good quality.

For the water pump I personally like Graf. Yes you can install the later pump on the early engine.

Exhaust studs are best to buy new. You can find the part number on RealOEM.

[jeffnhiscars]

If you retrofit the WP you will have to change the plumbing as well. The later pumps also use the crossover pipe

[rturbo 930]

Thanks guys. I have all the plumbing from my '88, so that shouldn't be an issue. I was eying IE's exhaust studs but I think I'll just get them from BMW to save a few bucks.

[glnr13]

i like the IE studs because there's an allen head instead of having to double nut the oem studs.

[rturbo 930]

That's why I was eyeing them. But you figure you're only gonna install them once anyway, so what difference does it make? I'm on a pretty tight budget, so if I can save some money here, I'll do it.

[rturbo 930]

Alright more questions.

I could swear the car it came from was an early model, but the water pump is a late model. Along with a couple other little details, I'm starting to think it's actually a late model engine. I think the door tag said 9/87 on it, but I'm not sure, I only glanced at it. Did some of the last early cars get late model engines?

What's the preference for valve cover seals? Goetze for $10, but no silicone bead. There's no notes on Pelican as to what type the EK ($12), VR ($8 ), and Genuine BMW ($17) valve cover gaskets are. I've heard the ones with a silicone bead seal better, though, so maybe the Goetze isn't the one to get.

[suruba]

you can get those from BMW cheaper than IE. They're studs for n54 or n55 motors, have an allen head in the stud, and are cheaper

Dave

i like the IE studs because there's an allen head instead of having to double nut the oem studs.

[E30NJ]

We have been using Elring upper and lower gasket sets on all of our builds. Good quality.

For the water pump I personally like Graf. Yes you can install the later pump on the early engine.

Exhaust studs are best to buy new. You can find the part number on RealOEM.

+1 on Erling

[SkiFree]

Actually when you factor in the copper nut the ie studs come with, your looking at trading cents with the oem options. If I'm not mistaken the oem pieces are not allen head but torx head.

Alright more questions.

What's the preference for valve cover seals? Goetze for $10, but no silicone bead. There's no notes on Pelican as to what type the EK ($12), VR ($8 ), and Genuine BMW ($17) valve cover gaskets are. I've heard the ones with a silicone bead seal better, though, so maybe the Goetze isn't the one to get.

OP my advice is to not overthink it. Use whatever comes in the upper gasket set.

[rturbo 930]

Yeah, I can be a bit OCD sometimes. I think I'll just get the VR gasket. I didn't order a gasket set though since it comes with a lot that I don't need.

Thanks for the input guys.

[glnr13]

Actually when you factor in the copper nut the ie studs come with, your looking at trading cents with the oem options. If I'm not mistaken the oem pieces are not allen head but torx head.

and that copper adds some sexiness to the engine bay IMO

[estoguy]

Don't know much on seals.

I've had a Hepu water pump for over a year now. Solid.

[rturbo 930]

^I ended up with a Graf, should be here Friday, along with $350 worth of other things.