Need advice from experience for an M42 rebuild

[moatilliatta]

Craigslist, Or check your local BMW CCA chapter. Usually always somebody helpful on there if you can find a local here.

Can always sell when you're done. Just make sure its not sketchy, what comes up must come down.

[JonsE30]

does anyone know where i can rent an engine hoist? i thought auto zone used to rent these out, but i called them and i guess they don't. pep boys doesn't either. my harbor freight has an engine hoist for $180, but i'd try to save where i can if i can rent something for cheaper.

[moatilliatta]

https://www.amazon.com/BMW-E30-Servi.../dp/0837616476

[moatilliatta]

Pictures of head gasket?

If the cylinder head checked out ok, and the head gasket looks ok. Id probably have another shop check the cylinder head out.

Sometimes the leaks dont show until the vehicle is up to temp. I would be worried about the cylinder head condition, especially if you got it hot!

My take on things.
Remove Engine completely, get a 4 wheeled engine stand from harbor freight/ craigslist.
Acquire m44 motor stuff the rotating assy into the m42 block if it checks out.
You're going to need a fresh cylinder bore with those miles. (85v84 bore)
Just replace all valve guides and lifters (Mileage)
Dig around for a really good machine shop thru you local car community, Be cautious as this will the most important step in a motor build.
Its ok if it's just hotrod guys, If they are smart and willing to work on it, they will figure it out.
Have them do the cylinder head and bottom end, If they want to lap your valves, move on to another shop. The cost and hassle of acquiring tools and tolerances will be the payoff of a good machine shop doing the work.
Replace timing chain, and guides, Maybe do a single row chain.
Check out some books and watch some youtube!

Replacing gaskets and a can of paint isn't a motor rebuild.

Yes a used motor will be cheaper.

[JonsE30]

So I got the head back from the shop and looks all good. My next task is to get the block checked out.

Currently the car just has the valve cover, throttle body, cooling system, intake manifold and upper timing removed.

I was going to continue to remove the cylinder head but are there specifics steps I need to take regarding the timing components if all of it is coming out with the short block too?

Do I separate transmission then take out the block and what’s left of the head in one piece?



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[roguetoaster]

Glad you have a helping hand, and looking forward to your findings!

[JonsE30]

So I talked to my machine shop about inspecting the short block a little later down the road but we decided to finish the valve job and resurface the head but he needed me to bring in my timing cover.

With a friend of mine we started early and starting tearing it down. We got the timing cover that he needed and still had some time before we had family matters to tend to so we kept on going. We’ll finish up removing the head the next car day.






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[roguetoaster]

Yes, if that mileage is accurate it's a full fat rebuild that you'll need.

Glad you love the car, just hope you can afford to fix it correctly.

[jaredmac11]

Are you getting the bottom end inspected?

at 378k miles Id be looking at making sure the cylinder walls and rings are still in spec.

Its probably time for valve guides to be inspected as well on the top end.

[JonsE30]

well thats just fantastic. good thing I love this car haha

[roguetoaster]

Yep, overhaul it. Also, seems like they didn't replace the idler gear, which is big bucks now.

Bet your ODO has been swapped too as those miles seem suspiciously high.

[JonsE30]

i'm for sure gonna get some new tools. i dropped it off at the machine shop last week and a couple days later they called back after inspecting it recommended to re-do the valves. ughhh, but since its out i might as well to give the car a longer life before it comes out again.

i need to get the timing cover to the machine shop too so they can get it even level with the head.

the previous owner records indicate the timing chain was replaced was serviced by quality motors in laguna niguel at 196K miles in Jan 2006. The work order showed the following parts replaced:

replace oil pan upper & lower gasket
replace valve cover gasket set
replace front cover gasket (timing cover) set
replace timing chain
replace chain tensioner
replace chain guide rail
replace chain rail
replace timing rail
replace p/s, a/c & alternator belt
replace oil filter housing gasket & o-ring
replace thermostat & gasket
replace timing case gasket

the odometer shows 378K now, so is this due for another overhaul since it's been supposedly 180K miles since?

[roguetoaster]

OP, as an aside, if your budget permits you should get a 90 degree cordless ratchet. Makes this job go so much more quickly.

[TobyB]

Toby probably had to remove the AC bracket in order to remove the crank sensor wire.

Yeah- might also have made the exhaust manifold easier to get off.

t

[roguetoaster]

Chain and guides if you want to strip down the lower timing case as well. If it's an unknown change it all, if in good shape just leave it.