Hey there, I have been following this site for a long time during my last E30 restoration/rebuild. First time posting here, I hope this is in the right spot and everything. But anyway, I'd like to feel out some opinions on the next step of my engine restoration.
On my 1988 325i, I had a failed/cracked head I discovered when I pulled the head. I recently acquired a cylinder head. The head was only $225 but has a broken rocker arm. The guy I bought it from suspected a hydraulics failure of some nature but I also am anticipating that this could have been a high rev'd out head? I am anticipating the camshaft lobes may be quite worn so I've already sourced a new camshaft. The head was clearly recently machined and still is shiny and clean on pretty much all the surfaces. It also has great-looking newly replaced studs. I am trying to reduce costs that are unnecessary (the last restoration I spent all of a $5k budget really quickly on unnecessary parts so trying to learn from those errors). So here are a few questions:
1. Can I reasonably avoid another trip to the machine shop? With it having been machined recently, it looks in great shape overall. The valves all seal properly and are not bent. No cracks on a macroscopic level noted. I don't want to skip this important step of having a machinist evaluate, but I do feel having a valve job done when everything seals well and is in good shape might be futile.
2. Thoughts on using a used rocker arm to replace? I have a cracked head with good rockers that I've thought of using for spare parts. But I'm also considering replacing all rockers and the rocker shaft with new components.
Thanks and sorry for the lengthy post. I would love to hear what others would do in this situation. I plan to strip the head the weekend and do lots of measuring of the components. I'm hoping the valve springs are within spec, they're pricey.
On my 1988 325i, I had a failed/cracked head I discovered when I pulled the head. I recently acquired a cylinder head. The head was only $225 but has a broken rocker arm. The guy I bought it from suspected a hydraulics failure of some nature but I also am anticipating that this could have been a high rev'd out head? I am anticipating the camshaft lobes may be quite worn so I've already sourced a new camshaft. The head was clearly recently machined and still is shiny and clean on pretty much all the surfaces. It also has great-looking newly replaced studs. I am trying to reduce costs that are unnecessary (the last restoration I spent all of a $5k budget really quickly on unnecessary parts so trying to learn from those errors). So here are a few questions:
1. Can I reasonably avoid another trip to the machine shop? With it having been machined recently, it looks in great shape overall. The valves all seal properly and are not bent. No cracks on a macroscopic level noted. I don't want to skip this important step of having a machinist evaluate, but I do feel having a valve job done when everything seals well and is in good shape might be futile.
2. Thoughts on using a used rocker arm to replace? I have a cracked head with good rockers that I've thought of using for spare parts. But I'm also considering replacing all rockers and the rocker shaft with new components.
Thanks and sorry for the lengthy post. I would love to hear what others would do in this situation. I plan to strip the head the weekend and do lots of measuring of the components. I'm hoping the valve springs are within spec, they're pricey.
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