E30 help, Michigan area

[promo]

It's in need of some love, and looking at all this stupid German shit under the hood, I'm in need of some help.

I'm on a time limit to get the car up and rolling, it's in need of a head gasket, not difficult on any car, except this. Distributor plug is apparently the biggest bitch to take off, don't get me started with the radiator...

If you're able to help me out, I can provide a little $, a lot of pizza, beer, and cigs. Maybe we can work something out. PM me.

If you can help me take a few things off, and time the engine to TDC, I can take over from there.

[dannyyisntt]

Where are you located?

[promo]

Rochester, MI

[JA1991]

I'll be up in MI in a couple days, might be able to help with some stuff.

[dannyyisntt]

I'm about 2 hours north of you. I may be able to lend a hand this weekend?

[andrewm]

Im not sure how you're planning to do it...but, not likely to be done in a single day unless you have a spare head laying around that you can flatten. Just a thought to have.

[promo]

Typed everything out just to have it tell me my sessions expired.

Right now, I have the radiator out. I need to know if I can leave the fan, and the crank pulley in tact to take the timing belt off. The belt is new, but I have a new belt sitting at home.
T-belt was done 3-4k miles ago, so the water pump, tensioner and all can be left as is.

[promo]

Would I need to take the crank out to replace the t-belt with the new one?

[promo]

Basically, what's the fastest way of getting the new head installed without halfassing too many things? I need it running long enough to get me about 30-40 miles.

[promo]

Got the rotor off, and the timing belt cover with the fan in tact. Phone ran out of battery (my light source) before I could figure out where the TDC markings were. Poop.
I'll get back out there in 30-45 minutes, charging the phone for more light. haha

[Vivek]

Not to be rude, but do you literally not own a flashlight?

[promo]

No, I do. I own 3 of them, I can't find two of them and my third is out of battery. Don't worry, i'm also going WHERE TF are my flashlights.

I believe i've set the engine to TDC, except I can't tell since there is literally one tiny notch on the inside of the cam gear. I see my AMC head has one on the outside, the ETA head doesn't look like it has that. The eff?!

[woodisgood]

Dude, relax. If all you have to do is move a notch on your timing you don't really have to undo much. The fan is gonna be exactly in the way though. Remove all the belts and the balancer. I think the lower timing cover has to come off. Get the alternator out of the way then get the tension off the timing belt by pushing the tensioner towards the block and tightening it back up. Make sure the crank is at TDC then wiggle the belt off the cam sprocket, You can use a flat head screwdriver very carefully. Move the cam to TDC, work the belt back on and rotate the engine and check timing marks.


Never mind I totally misread you problem......you should take your time, and send you head to a machine shop while it is off your car.

[andrewm]

Honestly...with the kinds of questions you're asking, I'd stop until someone helps or you pay someone else to pick up at this point.

You can't just reinstall the head. You need to mill it and get all the old gasket off. You need to check the head bolts. You need to clean the block, and make sure you have a suitable surface area for the head gasket.

[tonerrrr]

DIY Timing Belt - http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=158446

DIY Section - http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/forumdisplay.php?f=107