Ruby's Thread

[Levy3Poop]

Long time no post, so here's a couple little posts to bring y'all up to date. The alternator died, and the last alternator was dead too, so I had to go to AutoZone and shell out for a new one. While the price hurt, it was *really* nice to not get greased up just by handling it lol. She's running right as rain now. Sent from my Moto Z3 Play using Tapatalk

[Levy3Poop]

Nothing too exciting, just an oil change yesterday. I've been getting the new transmission cleaned up for the swap. I got the RevShift bushing kit (80A for that daily drive comfort), and the Garagistic wiring harness which should make things go more smoothly. Sent from my Moto Z3 Play using Tapatalk

[Levy3Poop]

Not really a whole lot going on lately, but I thought I'd give a small update. I got the new anodized aluminum control arm mounts from garagistic and they're gorgeous! The current control arms are stuck to the old mounds like stink on shit, and the rubber bits on them are pretty shot, so I just went ahead and ordered new Moog control arms Also, new Hella oil level sensor for the front sump oil pan that I de-gunked about as best I can. So yeah, not a huge update, and I still need to install the control arms and mounts, but things are going Sent from my Moto Z3 Play using Tapatalk

[Levy3Poop]

Been a while since an update, so let's get to it.

I finally got a piece that's felt like an obstacle in the M54 swap when I think of it.
This is an oil pickup tube from an E38 M52 Euro spec. Those engines had an oil pickup in the front of the engine, which is where M54s need it in E30s.
Part number is 11417503261 just FYI. Other options were cut up the original one and weld it, and since I don't have a welder that would be a PITA to find a welder and get done.



Here it is installed. Fit like a glove :) Just had to find an M8 bolt to hod it in place since the original tube was held in place with M6ers



Just another pic of the tube installed



That part got my working juices going and I finally got finished up with what I wanted to do on the 4.1LSD.
I took a brass wire wheel and a dremel to smooth off the mating surface for the gasket, drained it, and cleaned it up. Well, it's been cleaned up externally for a while and was just sitting on my work bench open with a paper towel over the gears to keep crap out.



New paper gasket. Took me a minute to figure out the orientation lol.



Got it level and filled it up with some Royal Purple 75W140 with friction modifier. Did you know they actually make that shit purple?? Cracked me up hahaha



Aaaaand last week I got SS brake lines! The brake lining light was on, and Garagistic was having a sale, so fuck it why not?
Full disclosure: I rage quit when trying to get the lines above the rear subframe. Why are the Germans so cruel as to make those so inaccessible, and why could those SaltCityEuro bois get those lines so effortlessly?
Either way, at least I got the lines to the calipers done, and the brakes bled.
Also, as it turns out, the "brake lining" light doesn't have shit to do with the brake lines.
The brake wear sensor had gotten both wires cut on the front left wheel, so I ordered a new one.



UNAIRWORTHY as I would tell my students.
There were just a couple flat spots on the passenger wheel which had the ABS cable broken (see later in the post).



AIRWORTHY.



Mileage document. Also I did an oil change at 251,400 the other day. This was about a week and a half ago



That ABS cable that I found in my glove box and installed when my oil pan blew out on the 4th of july got RIP'd. Looks like it got rubber between the wheel and strut. What's weird is it didn't give me an ABS light even though the copper completely.



New banjo bolt for the power steering because that MFer is still leaking and RMeuropean told me to change the banjo bolt before they'd send another power steering hose. Fuckers.



Here's the new ABS cable. Install was super easy and I still don't have an ABS light.



I zip tied that bad johnnie to keep it from getting caight in that same spot and costing $100 more

[Levy3Poop]

We had a good time at The Vintage [emoji3] Those mountain roads in Ruby was just about the most incredible thing I've experienced

Here's a small flood of images from the trip. We hauled Ruby up with Frank (Lindsay's FJ) and it did well. Some notable cars were the boosted M42 2002, the clean as hell S14 2002, 1dirty_30s vert and touring, the e28 that was camped next to us along with a Calypso e34 touring, as well as many others. I was so overwhelmed by all the amazing builds and rare cars I didn't even remember to take pics for about half the show hahaha. 10/10 would go again

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[Levy3Poop]

Did the copper crush washers fix the leak? I'm looking to fix my own leaky PS reservoir soon and I don't wanna have all the work done and still have it drippin everywhere...

I haven't noticed it leaking again since refilling, but I haven't done anything else since the last washer replacement

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[taiwanesekid05]

POWER STEERING LEAK REEEEEEEEE



I had to order washers off Amazon because NO ONE carries M16 copper crushy bois. Hopefully this fixes the leak finally [emoji58]

Did the copper crush washers fix the leak? I'm looking to fix my own leaky PS reservoir soon and I don't wanna have all the work done and still have it drippin everywhere...

[mike.bmw]

Awesome! Can't wait to see more updates!

[Levy3Poop]

We got to Hot Springs NC for The Vintage! We towed the Rube on a Uhaul trailer. We did the 17 hour drive in one shot. Towing a trailer for the first time with my most prized possession (and daily driver lol) was a bit stressful when we got to the twisty TN and NC back roads at midnight. Can't wait for the vintage!



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[Levy3Poop]

Finally getting an alignment! I found Texas Track Works on the TiT FB group, and they seem to have a pretty slick operation going on here.



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[Levy3Poop]

POWER STEERING LEAK REEEEEEEEE



I had to order washers off Amazon because NO ONE carries M16 copper crushy bois. Hopefully this fixes the leak finally [emoji58]

[Levy3Poop]

Yesterday I reinstalled the washer I was missing when I put the power steering hoses back on. So far it hasn't left a leak on my garage floor again yet, but it could just be collecting on my skid plate.
Either way, the washer is back on and I think it may be solved this time. If not, I'm going to scream and shit at the same time.



Also, I got my state inspection done last week or the week before or...well, it was recent.
The guys at Kwik Kar said Ruby was the cleanest old Euro they've seen in a long time :)



And just because I've never shared, our dog Astro (got her back in October) absolutely LOVES riding with the top down, and everyone in traffic smiles when they see her with her face in the wind. ☺️
Here's a couple pictures of her in the Rube :)







And a small "for what it's worth" update, the M42 valve clatter is basically completely gone with the use of 10w40 and the Lucas Oil Stabilizer on the last oil change. ��
When I started the engine up in the garage before, I'd come to expect a loud "GRAAAAAGAGAGAGAAGAGA" before settling down. Now it just starts with no drama and idles nicely.
Also, my oil leak seems to have slowed down with the thicker oil as well ��

[Levy3Poop]

Wow this car has come a long way. Great work!

Thanks :^) I appreciate the kind words

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[e30RS]

Wow this car has come a long way. Great work!

[2mAn]

After I put the last one on, the first place we went to, a guy on smoke brake exclaimed how nice Ruby looked. That, as well as a few other complements from the lip, have me determined to not have a naked valance any more.