My 1989 325iC

[Joey Link]

Haha, I was wondering why everyone was talking about the bumpers. I just went through the thread and checked, then realized I didn't post about the plastic bumpers I picked up. I actually bought two complete sets, both Alpine White 2. I'm going to take the best pieces of each and use them.

The wheels are pretty banged up, but the nice thing is the spokes stick out further than the lip, so the lip has virtually no rash on it. I'm *hoping* the correct method to repair them will be to media blast them, use a bit of that wheel bondo stuff I've seen in wheel repair instructions to fill in and smooth over the rash (since it's not deep at all), then respray them. I think I'm going to spray them white again, I just don't like all black wheels. You know you guys love that Miami Vice look :)

I'm really surprised more people haven't commented on the last two lines of my last post here :P

[Joey Link]

They're out! Today I pulled the engine and transmission, what a pain in the ass. I didn't receive my Bentley manual until about halfway through - it sure would've made it a lot easier! For those of you wondering if you can pull it by yourself, the answer is yes.

We're trailering the car to the shop this weekend to pressure wash the engine bay, hopefully it'll clean up real nice. Meanwhile I'll be replacing every external engine and tranny gasket and seal, plus doing whatever other maintenance I can. The engine is so caked in dirt, grease, and oil that I wouldn't be surprised if it'll take an entire day to clean it up. I'm also making a list of stuff to take to the shop to be media blasted then painted.

This is a lot of work for an engine that I'll be pulling out and replacing with an M50 in less than a year, but I think this is excellent practice. I consider myself to be one of the worst mechanics I've ever met so believe me, I can use all the practice I can get.

I should've taken some pics while I was in the process, but I wanted to make good time. I'll try to snap some tomorrow and post them.

[Joey Link]

It's been a while since I updated all of you with pics of my progress. My dad picked up the M50 today and there seems to be a few issues, mostly regarding the description of the condition and the actual condition not matching. I haven't seen it yet, so I can't comment.

We got the chassis, engine, and tranny strapped onto the flatbed today, tomorrow they go to the shop for a thorough pressure washing session. After that I'll be replacing all those seals I bought, and hopefully getting pretty close to being ready to drop the thing back in. I *really* hope I remember how to put everything back together. I rushed through the disassembly and didn't do a very good job documenting my work.

[Van Westervelt]

Needs moar disassemble.

[SiGmA_X]

Nice work Joey :) So whats wrong with the M50??

[Joey Link]

Thanks man. I'm going to contact the company I purchased it from and give them a chance to make it right before I say something negative.

[backtrail69]

Looks like ALOT of work ahead of u.

[Joey Link]

Haha yeah, you wanna come down and help me? :P

[Joey Link]

The stars finally aligned and I was able to clean up my engine, transmission, and engine bay. I'm going back out there Tuesday to split the engine and tranny, clean a few more things, then haul everything back home for the re-installation.

[DarkWing6]

clean

[golde30]

LOL. cool pics. looks like that high pressure sprayer worked out well.:p

[BUDNUNTA]

Do you think using the pressure washer on a motor your not "re-sealing" is a good idea?
It really cleaned that motor/trans up. Id like to do mine at some point but I'm afraid of pushing water into the seals(a common problem on dirt bikes when presure washers are used)
Did you powerwash under the car too?

Im sure the theyll take care of you regarding the motor there good guys over there. I wanted the motor you got, I'd been eyeing it up for a while(since they recieved the car) but ended up not getting it.
Hope all goes well. your cars really coming along




Hunter

[Joey Link]

Thanks for the comments guys.

I'm replacing every external seal aside from the head gasket, so I don't think it'll be a problem. I'm really not sure if pushing water into the seals is an issue with these engines, but I'd like to know :)

I put the car back on the trailer. Tuesday I'm going out there and jacking it up, then I'll do the underside of the car. This way I won't have to lay on the ground.

I spoke with them, but the best they'd do was send me a new sump (the one on the engine was broken) and an oil pan gasket. The A/C compressor is totally seized, the starter has a huge hole in it, and they made absolutely no effort to keep debris out of the bottom end (it didn't come with an oil pan, which wasn't mentioned in the ad). Overall, I'm not happy. If I were selling an engine I wouldn't be able to sleep at night unless I disclosed these obvious things to a potential buyer.

[smonkbmw]

interesting. you didnt seal the exhaust manifolds or the starter hole. hopefully youre taking the motor apart soon before you get any build up in the block. didnt know you wore red toenail polish?

[Van Westervelt]

I wish my tranny was that clean! Then it would match my engine. Lets trade! Good work esse!