First E30 and first Convertible!

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  • davesmystery
    replied
    I decided to paint my rocker panels and trim while I waited for my injectors to come back.

    First up was to install the new trim I got from Manpie. I bought the new clips from Guten. Since I had never installed these, I broke a few learning how they go in. For all those who haven't (and are randomly reading this), here's how it works.

    Here's how the clips look when you get them:


    So insert them into the holes above the rocker panel (9 per side plus a weird one that RealOEM doesn't talk about and I'll show you a sort of work around), and then push the little nub through the clip so it can easily insert into the moulding. Should look like this once inside the hole. Pushing the nub opens up the little claws and secures it in place.


    So here's the place with the black clip RealOEM doesn't mention. This goes at the most frontward (is that a word?) point of the car. The first hole should be larger in diameter and a regular clip won't just plug in. I cut out the channel so it looks like the rest of the moulding and then inserted a clip and wrapped it in electrical tape so it would fit snugly.



    Then I taped off the moulding and started spraying this stuff all over it. It works incredibly well for what it is and dries quickly. We'll see how well it holds up over time.



    You'll notice I use the Wall Street Journal for my masking material because I'm an educated classy gent.





    And here it is after, looks so much better:

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  • davesmystery
    replied
    I've suspected that my engine still had a bit of a vacuum leak and was running kind of odd. I had been thinking about taking my injectors out for a while but it wasn't until I had a fuel leak I traced to the FPR o-ring that I decided to remove them to check their o-rings. I also have a fuel pump whine so I've decided to rehabilitate the fuel system as needed. Finally got the injectors out after figuring out how to remove the injector harness (just pull up if it's a late model) and removing the valve cover to wiggle the fuel rail out (also to check and see how my valve adjustment is holding up).

    When I pulled them out I found this! Damn!



    Off to MEPEH for cleaning and flow testing!
    Last edited by davesmystery; 09-10-2013, 08:08 PM.

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  • davesmystery
    replied
    GT BMW E30 - let me know if you find anything out about it by any chance. It's a bit unnerving having random plugs dangling around your engine bay.

    MoreMayhem - I laughed when I saw that conversion kit, considering most powertop guys switch theirs back to manual. It's from the 1992 BMW accessory catalog. My car came with one in the glove box, it has all sorts of cool stuff they don't sell anymore.

    KIRIEIW - I've noticed a similar occurrence... I can't explain it either haha, but I'm definitely happy mine is perfect. I keep sun shades in that thing 24/7.

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  • KIRIEIW
    replied
    You would think verbs would get cracked dashes the easiest but out of all the Craigslist ones i went to check out they were all perfect! Maybe BMW put a special material in the vert models ;D

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  • MoreMayhem
    replied
    I also see in that picture some text about converting a manual convertible top to electric. Never heard of that either. What is that picture from?

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  • GT BMW E30
    replied
    Originally posted by davesmystery

    Finally, this plug is coming out of the wiring harness near the fuse box and was dangling near the brake/clutch fluid reservoir.




    It should be pretty obvious at this point the car has spent it's entire life here in the desert, a lot of things are cracked and look like hell.

    Also, do these still exist? I really want one for some reason.
    I will like to know what its for too. That cover is interesting. 1st time ever seeing that.

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  • davesmystery
    replied
    Glad to hear there are a lot of alpine and indigo verts running around. Manpie, thanks again for the parts! I'll post pics once I get the manual set up installed.

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  • manpie
    replied
    We are literally twinses. You have a 5 speed though. :)

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  • series88
    replied
    Very nice car! Im a sucker for alpines and Im biased since I have a late vert.

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  • WELOVEGREY
    replied
    I have a 1991 325i cab - same color/interior as yours. Though mine is an automatic...otherwise almost a twin! I've had mine since the end of May. It's my first BMW and love it!

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  • davesmystery
    replied
    Update - been at work on the car on and off for the past week or so, here's the things I've done so far:

    Timing Belt/Tensioner
    Water Pump
    Cam Seal/O-ring/Flange
    Valve Cover Gasket/Plugs
    Oil Change
    Coolant Flush
    Odometer Gears (Garagistic!)
    Instrument Cluster Lights
    Oxygen Sensor (Ford 4 wire splice!)
    Spark Plug Wires
    Spark Plugs
    Distributor Cap/Rotor
    Adjusted Valves
    Intake Boot
    Glove Box Latch
    Fan Shroud
    Thermostat
    Coolant Temp Sensor
    Emblems
    Shift Knob

    After doing the ignition components, new intake boot, o2 sensor, and valve adjust, the car passed emissions like a champ! I was actually just kind of surprised it actually ran well after I put it back together although it still sounds like there's a bit too much valve chatter in cylinders 1&2. Still has a ton of rattles and suspension work will come after the next thing, which is...

    My steering rack, it's definitely toast. The passenger side tie rod boot no longer seals and sprays ATF all over the tie rod and control arm. I'll probably just wind up going with a rebuilt e30 rack since this is more of a cruiser than a racecar.

    Also, my radio code works! So nice to have tunes in the car since it's going to be a while before a proper stereo goes in.

    Gonna have it detailed soon soon after I get some touch up paint, my GF got me a certificate for my bday. Also bought the passenger side rocker trim and the manual top conversion parts from Manpie that will be going in as soon as I get them.

    Some random pics from working:



    New Timing Belt and Water Pump



    It's amazing how much you can accomplish with the standard tool kit. The adjustable pliers actually got my fan clutch nut off!



    New Garagistic gears, working excellently.



    I might get hate, but no more Check panel instrument light. Instead I put the bulb on the side of instrument panel where there currently wasn't one.

    Also, does anyone know what these things plug in to? Any help/info is greatly appreciated.

    They're hanging beneath driver's side front bumper. They appear to go up into the headlight area but I can't find anywhere it might plug into.



    Not the vent hose, but the plug. It's coming out of the bottom of the fuse box, and for some reason was routed underneath the side area and was mangled with the coolant vent hose




    Finally, this plug is coming out of the wiring harness near the fuse box and was dangling near the brake/clutch fluid reservoir.




    It should be pretty obvious at this point the car has spent it's entire life here in the desert, a lot of things are cracked and look like hell.

    Also, do these still exist? I really want one for some reason.
    Last edited by davesmystery; 08-14-2013, 06:51 PM.

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  • animal
    replied
    congrats! You got a steal on a that vert.

    just picked up an 89 for myself - first clean it up well and take care of the maintenance. Mine is still leaking some oil but it does have 300k.

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  • davesmystery
    replied
    Hendrix - Thanks! I only need the right side, how much are you looking to get for it?

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  • hendrixvodu
    replied
    Looks great man ! I've got a set of those plastic rocker trims if your looking

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  • swboat12
    replied
    Your cab looks very much like mine. I've had mine 4 years now and it's been a delight for me. Good luck!

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