Back in teh saddle again, finally!

[e30325ic]

Finally after al the problems with the 325i. three head gaskets and a set of head bolts it finally turned out to be a cracked head through the number 3 and 4 cam jurnals. I piced up a 190000 mile head friday, dissassembled it, ground the vallves, recut the seats, milled the head flat, lapped in the valves Sat. Put the head back on Sunday and broke 2 blue metric bolts at the 60lb/ft torque step. Broke one removed the head again got the bolt out, put it back on, and broke another bolt at the same step. So I got another set up factory bolts and got it torqued down. While putting the timing best cover on the 6mm bolt broke off in the front of the head. I had to drill it out and retap it. It is now finally over and running. Everything seems to be ok at this time. My $300 car is starting to get into my pocket. I am now at about $1300 with the engine rebuild, extra gaskets, bolts, new interior and on and on. I dont know how much longer the old auto tranny is going to last so I am accumulating the parts to make it a 5speed. Will post pics soon.

[KDZROK]

YAY!

That is great to hear! Thinga have been HORRIBLY frustrating for you, I am sure.

I, for one, can't wait to see pictures!

[EverWiser]

With all the breaking bolts it might be time to get that torque wrench calibrated, or at least checked...Just a thought.

[Axxe]

Take it easy on the bolts man. That many breaking bolts is more than a coincidence.

[e30325ic]

I used two different torque wrenches on the blue metric bolts just to make sure. They had been used once so I think that may have had something to do with it. The recomende 80lb/ft of torque is a little high in my opinion for that size bolt. The 6mm bolt in front of the head had very little pressure on it. I have driven it for 2 days now with no problems. Fingers crossed.

[e30325ic]

Here is the link to the pics of the car.

$300 E30