Auto to manual swap grinding noise

[Maybe Magpie]

I'm dealing with this exact same issue. I purchased the RHD "single mass" flywheel and have the same Sachs clutch that you do. I did so under the pretense that DMF and SMF all used the same starter, mostly because folks said they did the swap and didn't change their starter. One thing I'm finding out is that most 325i in the US had a dual mass flywheel... or at least that's my hypothesis, and there is a gear tooth spacing issue based.

I purchases their SMF HERE, and am using a "stock rebuild" for my 88' 325i, and have the exact same grinding as you. Same discoloration and marks on the teeth as you. As listed on their website, and after speaking with RHD yesterday on the phone, it appears we should have procured the DMF version HERE to use our typical starters. The kind gentlemen on the phone recommended to try and early model starter. I have a '84 325E starter on the way, and I will take measurement of the teeth between my two starters, and the flywheel. If there is a difference, I'll do the math/CAD to help visualize it.

Good luck, and I'll keep ya posted later this week.

Colin

Hate to necropost, but how'd this turn out? I'm getting ready to 5-speed my car and was deliberating between a stock resurfaced flywheel and one of the RHD ones, but I wanted to be absolutely certain I got the right flywheel because if I have to take it apart again after the swap because of this sort of nonsense I'll implode in a vortex of anguish. I also have an '88 325is, but all the parts diagrams (and some other posts in r3v)? indicate we have SMFs, not DMFs, so I'm a little bamboozled as to what's my best course here. I found the P/Ns for the proper spacer plate (11221262827) for a manual, but before I buy anything I want to be certain as possible. Panici , any input from you too?

[Panici]

before I buy anything I want to be certain as possible. Panici , any input from you too?

I'd send a message to Rama from RHD.
He was very helpful with my setup.

[Maybe Magpie]

I'd send a message to Rama from RHD.
He was very helpful with my setup.

I'll give it a shot. In honesty this will be my first stick car so I was leaning to a stock one because it'll be more forgiving to errors and I don't wanna waste their time, but I'll see if he's got input too. Thanks!

[Maybe Magpie]

Unfortunately he more or less shrugged at me - not 100% sure he got the memo of it being a 325i and not a 4cyl or eta but given he's a few thousand miles away I don't blame him for being unsure. Darn. I'll see what I can figure out and if I do I'll report back. Don't hold your breath too hard though. That shim info is helpful, at least!

Hi

mate to be honest i still dont know that exact information either with
different countries getting different models and options!!... on most
cases the standard 137 teeth FW is correct! but be careful some
aftermarket starters are incorrect for the part numbers they are
advertised with!!!

the only way is to count the teeth on the ring gear that you have in
the car

otherwise best to buy the m44/m50 version FW and then buy m50/m52
version starter, this will guarantee to fit and you will have the latter
model better /quieter setup.

the shim goes under the heads of the bolts... NOT against the crank!...
in most cases with our steel CrMo FW you do not even need the shim.

regards

Rama