Will these valve cover nuts work on an E30?

[TrentW]

Anyone ever use the acorn style valve cover nuts from an E21 on an M20? Realoem says NLA, but Pelican shows them--part #1121720113, They're both M6, but since they're the acorn style, I don't know if they're deep enough to tighten down all the way. I think they'd look way better than the stock E30 nuts though.

[Liam]

You would need the deeper ones that came on later M30s.

[TrentW]

Great thanks. What specific model would I look under on realoem?

[dashboardmonkey]

I plan on replacing the valve cover studs all togetjher with allen bolts.

[moatilliatta]

might be able to thread the studs down further or cut them down. or get shorty ones ;)

[TrentW]

Good idea--although the M30 acorn nuts would be more original looking. ALso wondering where you'd get allen bolts that are a good hardness since they tend to need to be tightened down snugly to prevent that damned oil seepage.

[dashboardmonkey]

Good idea--although the M30 acorn nuts would be more original looking. ALso wondering where you'd get allen bolts that are a good hardness since they tend to need to be tightened down snugly to prevent that damned oil seepage.

Lock washers, I would get the allen bolts from a bicycle shop. I have had a lot of bicycles so I have a few extra bits and pices laying around. I figured it would be something different for my car.

[TrentW]

Now I can't decide. I'm going to at least check my bike shop for the allens too, and then make up my mind. Never did find out what year M30 nuts work though...

[Hallen]

You might try these:

http://www.pelicanparts.com/cgi-bin/...As%20Needed%20

Realoem shows a different part number for the above, but these acorn nuts fit. They are expensive for nuts though.

[TrentW]

Those are the same 320i ones I initially mentioned, Liam says they're too short, but trying to find out what year/model M30 ones he says will work??? I'm anxious to know as I want to add them to my Pelican order I need to place this weekend.

[Liam]

I think something like a 91 or so 535i.

The old M10 ones are too shallow (even for the latter M10s) and wont tighten down, I've seen people try to use them and crack the stud bores in the head.

[Hallen]

I think something like a 91 or so 535i.

The old M10 ones are too shallow (even for the latter M10s) and wont tighten down, I've seen people try to use them and crack the stud bores in the head.

Click on the link that I put there and then expand the list of applications.

535i (1989-93) Sedan with M30 Engine (E34)


I have some of these nuts and they look exactly like the ones that were on my car originally. I did not have any trouble torquing the old ones, but some were rounded off so I got new ones. I'll check tonight to see if the new ones do indeed torque down all the way or not.

I'll let you know if they are OK. I have an 87 325is M20B25.

[TrentW]

I think something like a 91 or so 535i.

The old M10 ones are too shallow (even for the latter M10s) and wont tighten down, I've seen people try to use them and crack the stud bores in the head.

Thanks Liam--do you know if the S14/S38 nuts are also too short? These are chrome and would be perfect...

[Hallen]

Click on the link that I put there and then expand the list of applications.

535i (1989-93) Sedan with M30 Engine (E34)


I have some of these nuts and they look exactly like the ones that were on my car originally. I did not have any trouble torquing the old ones, but some were rounded off so I got new ones. I'll check tonight to see if the new ones do indeed torque down all the way or not.

I'll let you know if they are OK. I have an 87 325is M20B25.

These nuts worked fine. They are the exact same size as the nuts that were on the car when I started. They torqued down fine with no trouble and the valve cover is tight all around.

[mafoose]

What's the torque one the nuts?
I'm going to have to do the gasket soon and the Haynes manual says "tight but not too tight"...

Do you all recommend RTVing the valve cover gasket, as I think that's what the Haynes manual says, but most cars you just install it dry...