NEWB w/ head replacing questions

[FREEFLOW]

broke the timing belt and I'm going to replace the head. I picked up a Bently manual and am currently in the process of purchasing a head off of a 93 325i convertible w/ 120k. I'm going to pick up all the gaskets, seals, waterpump, tensioner for the belt.

Basically I wanted to know if there were any special tools I might have to source for the job....

How difficult is this job and how much time would it take roughly for a NEW to perform this job?

I have the opportunity to get into a heated garage but I need to know how much time I will need and i'm afraid being a newb it will take me weeks

[gtarwiz]

I finished replacing my head a few weeks ago and it was a bitch. Granted it was my first BMW head and I was doing by myself and I am pretty noobish myself. Honestly, if you have someone who knows what they are doing helping you, you could get everything together in a weekend no problem. By yourself, probably two or more weekends as long as you work methodically. The Bentley is a great tool and just follow it step by step and you should be OK. If you are unsure of how everything is supposed to go, take lots of pics, that can help in setting it all back up. Also, its easiest to pull the head with the headers and intake manifold on, and take them off with after the head has been pulled. Before putting the head on, make sure there is no gasket material at all on either surface because you will then have a leak and have to redo the entire process.

This head that you are buying, has it had any work done to it or is it coming straight off another short block? If it has had all the necessary work done, mainly being resurfaced, then you should be all good to go. If your unsure bring it to a machine shop.

As for special tools, a 32 mm FLAT wrench is needed to get fan loose. I picked mine up from a bicycle shop for $12. And dont forget head bolts/ studs because you cant reuse the ones currently on your engine.

I am probably forgetting some stuff but thats all that I can think off right now. Good luck with the swap and try to stay warm, I was up there this past week and it certainly wasnt as fun as it could have been.

[jlevie]

When buying the stuff for this job, don't forget that you also need new head bolts (they are "one time" use).