Hey Everyone! I've been searching these forums for awhile and getting ideas on how I want my car to eventually turn out. I just picked up a 1989 325i for $600! It runs, but rough, kind of a high idle, and doesn't seem to want to stay in the same range. So, I'm doing it right! I'm pulling the cylinder head, having it checked for leaks, bent valves replaced, machined if needed (only up to .003 or whatever the oversized gasket allows) Having all of the valve guide seals replaced, replacing the timing belt, and cleaning absolutely everything.
The story behind this car is that the owner broke a timing belt. They had it replaced with a used head, and after that it never ran right. I and a friend of mine have a feeling the used head also had a bent valve or two. All of this work will get done at a very good and reputable machine shop. And of course, I will post pictures a long the way!
Tonight, I pulled off the cylinder head, and I must say, I am not happy with the last techs work at all. It is very sloppy, including missing nuts, mis matched bolts, and missing hose clamps!! No wonder this car ran like Barry Bonds with a gimp leg!
Under neath the valve cover looked clean, but looks can be deceiving. The intake manifold was absolutely disgusting inside. There must be about 2mm of garbage just caked on the inside. That will definitely be coming out. The used cylinder head definitely looks like it has some valve contact based on the nice shiny marks I see on the valve faces. And on top of all of that, the Distributer cap looked like they broke it and super glued it back together!!!
The story behind this car is that the owner broke a timing belt. They had it replaced with a used head, and after that it never ran right. I and a friend of mine have a feeling the used head also had a bent valve or two. All of this work will get done at a very good and reputable machine shop. And of course, I will post pictures a long the way!
Tonight, I pulled off the cylinder head, and I must say, I am not happy with the last techs work at all. It is very sloppy, including missing nuts, mis matched bolts, and missing hose clamps!! No wonder this car ran like Barry Bonds with a gimp leg!
Under neath the valve cover looked clean, but looks can be deceiving. The intake manifold was absolutely disgusting inside. There must be about 2mm of garbage just caked on the inside. That will definitely be coming out. The used cylinder head definitely looks like it has some valve contact based on the nice shiny marks I see on the valve faces. And on top of all of that, the Distributer cap looked like they broke it and super glued it back together!!!
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