Head Re-Surfacing / Gasket?

[1990e30coupe]

So I am doing a rebuild on my m20b27 (1987 325e) and have taken the head off to find that it is warped by .004.

Having the head re-surfaced means needing a thicker head gasket, and the machinist said around .30mm thicker.

Not sure exactly how much is coming off yet and these are the only numbers I have received so far; therefore, where can I find thicker head gaskets? Pelican parts has them but I don't like victor reinz and the genuine BMW one is on the expensive side so I would love to find one better priced with the same quality if one is out there.

I have a standard goetze head gasket that I was going to use but now that the head has to be resurfaced I cant, but would love to stick with goetze unless someone knows of something better. No Victor Reinz please!

Also I am curious as to the Main bearing sets on pelican parts as far as brand between KS automotive and Glyco. Any info out there on which one is better?

Also I am Ordering Goetze Rings, which any info on these would be helpful also as far as whether they are a good choice or not? I have had good luck with gaskets by Goetze but not anything else so I am curious as to if anyone is running their rings?

Picked a wonderful time for a rebuild since the E30 Picnic is coming up, but I am determined to get her done. Thankfully my cylinder walls are in excellent shape for 205k miles.

Anyway, any info on the above questions and then some would be helpful as this is my first rebuild?

Thanks Rev!

[jeffnhiscars]

I'm not sure about the 200 head but the 885 have dimples on the face and as long as you don't go beyond them I do believe you can use a stock gasket.

[101]

I went through this same thing.

If your head is only .004" warped, that shouldn't require milling it to the point that you would require the thicker head gasket. Of course you won't really know until the head is finished. The general rule is that if the "divots" on the head are still present, the normal thickness head gasket will work. If the "divots" are gone, you'll need to use the thicker gasket.

The only source I found for the thicker head gasket was BMW. Like you, I'm not a Victor Reinz fan. The BMW piece is certainly more expensive, but the quality of that part and the head bolts you use will either make you a happy man or make you do the job a second time.

I can't help you on the rings or bearings as I've only done the top ends on my motors so far.

[Bbbe30weee]

You can run stock gasket as long as your PTV is ok. You'll just gain a little on your compression ratio.

[1990e30coupe]

I went through this same thing.

The only source I found for the thicker head gasket was BMW. Like you, I'm not a Victor Reinz fan. The BMW piece is certainly more expensive, but the quality of that part and the head bolts you use will either make you a happy man or make you do the job a second time.

I can't help you on the rings or bearings as I've only done the top ends on my motors so far.

So for head bolts I ordered Genuine BMW head bolts through pelican parts, as for the head I am going to have to see how much they take off I guess before ordering any head gasket. Since I have a standard Goetze head gasket on the way already I hope I will be able to use it, until then I am going to keep looking around and if need be order the Thicker Gasket from BMW.

Thanks for the info!

[digger]

if you need one Goetze sell a thicker gasket to dont they? pretty sure thats what im using now from BMA parts IIRC....

[1990e30coupe]

if you need one Goetze sell a thicker gasket to dont they? pretty sure thats what im using now from BMA parts IIRC....

Now I am curious


After going to BMA Parts and searching I am not finding anything.
Any way you might have your hands on a part number?

I would love to find a thicker Goetze one!

[digger]

Now I am curious


After going to BMA Parts and searching I am not finding anything.
Any way you might have your hands on a part number?

I would love to find a thicker Goetze one!

email

Patrick@bmaparts.com quoting the P/N from realoem ask what brands he has

i will try and see though it was back in 2008 so may not have kept records

[1990e30coupe]

email

Patrick@bmaparts.com quoting the P/N from realoem ask what brands he has

i will try and see though it was back in 2008 so may not have kept records

Ok will do, Thanks!

[1990e30coupe]

So anyone have numbers as far as how much can be taken off the 200 heads before needing a thicker gasket. Since the head is off by .004" the mechanic with just a guess said they will take approximately .006" off; overall, I am not sure if this will be the final number.

Just wondering if anyone knows exactly how much can be shaved before needing thicker head gasket?

[ahlem]

It's not how much they take off, it's how much is left. Do you know if the head was ever re-surfaced previously?

[TobyB]

KS bearings are very good, in my past experience,
and Goetze rings have sealed just fine for me
on honed bores.

fwiw.

t

[1990e30coupe]

It's not how much they take off, it's how much is left. Do you know if the head was ever re-surfaced previously?

No, it has not previously been re-surfaced!

[1990e30coupe]

KS bearings are very good, in my past experience,
and Goetze rings have sealed just fine for me
on honed bores.

fwiw.

t

Exactly what I wanted to here from someone as I am just about to order the KS bearings. Have already ordered the Goetze rings and should be arriving any day now.

I was kind of bouncing between choosing the KS and Glyco Bearings, but since you have no issues with the KS I am leaning toward ordering them.

Not going to hone the cylinders just get the glaze off them since I can still see the cross hatching on the smooth/non grooved walls. Cylinder walls are in great condition for having over 200k on them. Got to hand it to M20 engines as they wear like iron. :D

[1990e30coupe]

email

Patrick@bmaparts.com quoting the P/N from realoem ask what brands he has

i will try and see though it was back in 2008 so may not have kept records

Received e-mail back from Patrick @ BMA parts and he only has VR for oversized; therefore, no luck in finding a thicker Goetze.