First Head gasket change

[unitt01]

Sub'd to the thead and working from home - quit distracting me ;-)

No idea what comes with the BMW gasket kit, would be nice to get a good close up to see what they include.

I'll post up everything thats included once I open the package up ;)

[Lugnuts]

AFAIK, the only funny thread on the M20 engine is the fan clutch. Everything else is standard lefty-loosey.

[E30NJ]

For the hood- remove the clip holding the strut hinge to the hood itself. Gives you and extra bit of space without removing hood.

[unitt01]

HUUUGE UPDATE

It's finally out! Today I straight tackled the cylinder head. Within 3 hours of struggling with loosening belts and bolts; I got the sucker out. I'd say the most difficult part today was removing the bolts from the exhaust manifold. Man was that uncomfortable. Anyways I removed the head that's all that matters. Now it's time to call up BIMMERHEADS and head over to get it cleaned up and looking like new! :mrgreen:

basic iPhone pics:








Buuuuuut i'm very stupid and unfortunate to have damaged one of the corners on my intake manifold by accident :(





Anyone know what I can fill that crack with ? Or am I gonna have to get a new IM ? I'm so bummed about this. Sigh. :|

[Lugnuts]

Yeah baby, nice progress!

Wonder how those 4-point spark plugs were performing for you...

Personally, and assuming I'm not missing some other piece of damage, I wouldn't worry about that teeny little nick you've put in your IM. The gasket will take care of sealing it up. If you're that stressed about it, get some high grit sandpaper (400/600+?), a sanding block, some JBWeld and an old credit card and very gently sand/fill/sand the nick, but quite honestly, it looks fine...maybe just lightly sand it down to remove any high edges. I don't see it affecting sealing/engine performance in the slightest. The Victor Reinz intake manifold gaskets I've used a couple of times in the past are pretty thick. Confident the BMW versions will be just as meaty...would be good to get some pics...hint hint ;)

Looks like you also had the old-style known-to-snap head bolts - is this what prompted you to change the HG?

[unitt01]

Didn't really run him that much so I can't answer bout the spark plugs Sounds like a good idea tho since it's only minor damage but man, it had me really concerned lol and actually the head bolts were all in good shape! none were snapped. But still gonna replace them with the new ones I got from BMW. :)

[MR 325]

HUUUGE UPDATE

It's finally out! Today I straight tackled the cylinder head. Within 3 hours of struggling with loosening belts and bolts; I got the sucker out. I'd say the most difficult part today was removing the bolts from the exhaust manifold. Man was that uncomfortable. Anyways I removed the head that's all that matters. Now it's time to call up BIMMERHEADS and head over to get it cleaned up and looking like new! :mrgreen:

Buuuuuut i'm very stupid and unfortunate to have damaged one of the corners on my intake manifold by accident :(

Anyone know what I can fill that crack with ? Or am I gonna have to get a new IM ? I'm so bummed about this. Sigh. :|

Nice work. Good job tackling it and doing it yourself! Look forward to working with you.

I wouldn't worry about the intake manifold, it will be fine.

If you want any of your parts hot tanked while they're off you can bring them with the head.

[e30josh]

Sometimes I wish i was still in socal! Good work! Bimerheads will treat you right

[Ether-D]

Didn't really run him that much so I can't answer bout the spark plugs Sounds like a good idea tho since it's only minor damage but man, it had me really concerned lol and actually the head bolts were all in good shape! none were snapped. But still gonna replace them with the new ones I got from BMW. :)

For chasing the head bolt threads in the block, I just get an old head bolt and take a grinder straight down the threads on two or three sides to make some reliefs. Basically, make an old bolt look like a tap. Then you thread her on in there and wipe off the gunk that it comes out with. And I second (third? fourth?) the "don't worry about the tiny knick in the manifold".

[unitt01]

Small Update~

Just got back from taking the cylinder head to BimmerHeads. And man are those guys cool !
Super excited to see and show you guys what it'll look afterwards :)

But now that that's getting done i'm trying to figure out what other small upgrades I can do. I was thinking of a complete ignition refresh.
Like: Ireland engineering spark plug wire set, spark plugs from NGK, ignition coil, distributor cap and rotor all from Bosch.

What do you guys think ? what ignition set up are you guys running ?

[Lugnuts]

Running stock ignition. New rotor + distributor. Factory leads. Trying a cooler spark plug for comparison (Bosch WR7DC+).

Since you said the water pump was done a couple of months ago, that should be good.

Ignition coils don't typically go. A basic check is the resistance across the 2 outer towers (1 & 15) and the inner tower (4) and 15. Should be 0.5 ohms and 5000 ohms respectively. Not always a conclusive check though. I'm replacing mine now since it's reading 6090 ohms, but she seems to be running fine.

Judging from the state of your ignition rotor in earlier pics, I'd say that would be worthwhile replacing. May as well do the distributor at the same time.

No idea on the ignition leads - if you've got the cash, why not? Just make sure you get a set with the cylinder 6 pickup lead (or not - check if yours has/needs one).

Some of these don't really fall into the "small upgrades" category. However, a non-ordered, probably incomplete list of things I'd also look at:

- new cylinder head/block alignment dowels (not mandatory, but they cost nothing...)
- replace any cracked worn coolant/breather pipes
- accessory belts (a/c pump, power steering pump, alternator)
- timing belt + pulley, if they didn't get done with the water pump
- check/replace the alternator voltage regulator. No 10:

http://realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=1412&mospid=47283&btnr=12_1520&hg=12&fg=22

- confirm the O|T mark on the outer edge of your crankshaft toothed wheel aligns with the timing mark on the lower timing belt cover with piston 1 at TDC. The timing wheel and the pulley are fused together with rubber. If it starts to crack/wear, your timing will be affected. See:

http://www.e30zone.net/e30zonewiki/index.php/Image:M20TimingBeltChange8.jpg

- front cylinder head/camshaft seal and o-ring, 4x rocker shaft plugs, valve cover gasket.

- check the state of the coolant pipe that attaches to the back of cylinder head. Mine was badly corroded, so I opted to replace it. Doesn't cost much. You will need the accompanying gasket too, which should be in the kit you purchased (would be surprised if it wasn't)

- get your injectors cleaned/refurbed/flow-tested if you're keen/curious.

- since your thermostat housing is apart, you could check/replace the thermostat and/or coolant sensors. If you opt to do this, make sure you put the thermostat in to the housing BEFORE the o-ring (ask me how I know ;))

- check to see if you have the old-style "stamped" intermediate shaft pulley. Replace it if you do - they've been known to implode. See attached images for a comparison.

- someone mentioned checking/replacing the front main seal. Worth doing but may require access to a crank holding tool and a puller to remove the front pulley. Also, you'll (ideally) need access to a torque wrench that can comfortably do 300 ft/lb when it comes time to put it back together. Maybe you can get away with marking the position of the bolt before undoing it. Peerless on e30tech posted a good article on how to go about doing this. I hired a baby 500 ft/lb deflecting beam torque wrench for the day. This one definitely falls outside of the "small upgrades" :)

Probably other stuff I'll think of later :)

Edit: front main seal replacement thread: http://www.e30tech.com/forum/showthread.php?t=79873

[MR 325]

Small Update~

Just got back from taking the cylinder head to BimmerHeads. And man are those guys cool !
Super excited to see and show you guys what it'll look afterwards :)

But now that that's getting done i'm trying to figure out what other small upgrades I can do. I was thinking of a complete ignition refresh.
Like: Ireland engineering spark plug wire set, spark plugs from NGK, ignition coil, distributor cap and rotor all from Bosch.

What do you guys think ? what ignition set up are you guys running ?

Nice to meet you. 8) The IE wires are the best bang for your buck for new wires. I'd skip on replacing the coil but a new Bosch cap and rotor with some Bosch or NGK plugs is definitely a good idea.

[unitt01]

Quick Update ~ Christmas came early for ya boy!

Just got back a few hours ago from BIMMERHEADS. And I am seriously pleased with what these guys have done.
I mean just take at look at how amazing this cylinder head looks...











I could've easily taken it to a local machine shop but if you're picky and careful of who touches your E30 or who gets near it (like me) I would go to these guys. Especially if you're in the SoCal (LA/OC) area definitely recommend them for all your M20 needs. Both are positive, helpful and friendly guys who are GREAT at what they do. Looking forward to seeing them in the near future :)

[unitt01]

Small update-

So i'm really enjoying working on the E30/M20 engine and getting new parts for it but it kinda bums me out finding out small problems. Like now my newest one is these 2 screws behind where the crank pulley is are leaking. (not sure if coolant or oil) It's an easy fix that i'll be able to do but still kinda sucks haha



But has one of you ever change this gasket before ?


Here it is number 9 on the picture.

It's the lower part where the timing belt goes on. I'm guessing i'm gonna have to remove the 2 gears to be able to remove the cover.



So what do you guys think ? Change the gasket or it wouldn't harm to leave it like that and do it later in the future ? (i'm gonna be changing it of course but i'd like to know your guys opinion too :))

[Ether-D]

It's pretty easy to do "while you're in there". Probably an extra hour and ($20 for seals and gasket) added to the whole job. Doit.