Cabrio Ressurection

[scottinAZ]

New update:

It lives.

I got the head re-installed yesterday, and after some fucking around with 20 yr old Kraut wiring, got it kicked over (1-2 sec until I install some other shit). At least this proves that the removal of the alarm didnt fuck up anything major.

Tomorrow I will be installing the new (out of my 325e) radiator, and then I can start it for longer than a few seconds at a time. Something about the blood red color of fresh tranny juice on the garage floor just doesnt work for me.

I still need to install the rear diff bushing, and the driveshaft and exhaust, then its time for a test drive.


Next step after that will be weaves (fuck bottlecaps), maybe some more low, and in the future, 24v swap...

[scottinAZ]

Basically said screw it today. Got the radiator installed. Found out that there are different fittings for late trans (oring) vs early (ball taper). Spent the better part of the morning custom fitting new cooler hoses (junkyard run for the correct style ends). Also sourced a newer radiator to replace the one that I was going to use that has gotten in several fights with fan blades (fuckers just kept breaking off).

Also changed out the diff bushing (pain in the ass)

Next up is to install the diff cover, jack it into place, fill it with fluid, install driveshaft and exhaust and then hopefully fire it up.

Engine may still have some issues with a couple of cylinders, as the compression numbers didnt come up the way I wanted them to. A bit of marvel mystery oil should free the rings if they are stuck though (had some h2o in the cylinders, who knows for how long). Worst case, i shitcan this motor and install a used one on payday.

[scottinAZ]

dove into the hard starting problem today, and lo and behold someone took the in tank unit out of the car. What I thought was an empty tank, still has about 3/4 fuel in it. Car starts a whole shit ton better when the gas can get into the lines (some creative engineering took care of that for the short term)

[scottinAZ]

ok, time for another update

After waiting for the new in-tank unit to arrive, and getting a new center support bearing (driveshaft had a late model narrow one on it). I have the car almost ready to come off the stands. I still need to do a (nother) valve adjustment (ticking on at least one valve quite badly), and then it should be just mop up type things that can be done when the car is driving.

Tomorrow should be the day....

[scottinAZ]

Car came off the stands this morning. What was thought to be just a loose valve, was instead the #4 rocker being displaced (oopsie). Put that back in place, and lo and behold no more valve tick (duh). Installed the in- tank unit, but the harness for the pump has been cut, so I need to source one of those (hello junkyard again).

Took it out for an around the block trip, and the trans shifts good (so far). I may still be a bit light on fluid, so dont want to press it too much.

Other than that, the engine still isnt running quite right, as I think the rings are still a bit stuck from the water that was in the center two cylinders.

Plans are to repair the pump harness, seafoam the motor, put a 30 day plate on it, and drive the shit outta it before I have to get it emissions sniffed.

[scottinAZ]

Update for Yesterday and today

Changed out the thermostat, due to a persistant running warm (damn near hot)
Turns out that some dipshit installed it backwards, with the plunger towards the hose....

Took it for a 70 mile run today, and the engine is starting to idle and run better. I have a persistant 1233 code in the DME, so I need to check the adjustment of the TPS. if this is the extent of the troubles, I will be totally thrilled.

[scottinAZ]

Overall drivability is improving with each mile driven.

Did some cosmetic issues today.

Swapped in my Mtech 1 steering wheel and my US ellipsoids from my Eta (prepping for sale)

Decided to check out the blower motor issue.

Found both squirrel cages destroyed, the upper motor shroud destroyed and the motor resistor installed incorrectly. need to source these parts before I bother charging the AC...

[Holland]

Loving the progress, not too far away either I will have to check this car out one day.

[scottinAZ]

Took the car to a local BMW meet last night, met some great guys, and had a good time
Picked up a set of weave caps, for things to come, and also did some troubleshooting on a massive trans leak. Looks like the kickdown cable is leaking like hell, about 1qt/100 miles. Parts ordered..... Thanks Blunt (I think I have paid him more for parts, than I paid for the car...)

Ordered a stereo system for it this afternoon

Went with a cheap Pioneer unit with aux input, a set of Pyle components (see here: http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=211455 ) and some factory replacements for the other two holes. I plan on moving my amp and sub box from my Eta into here when the rest of the system arrives next week.

Still need to get a second oversize oil drain plug, as mine is stripped, single oversize and leaking profusely. Its coming together, but progress is slowing down, as parts need to be sourced, faults found and then rectified. Will soon try to take on the shitty paint on the drivers door and rear quarterpanel. Need to see if a proper color sanding can make it at least presentable until I can afford a respray probably this winter.

[scottinAZ]

Just a small taste of what is coming tomorrow.



Couldnt get Euroweaves, but these are MILES better than bottlecaps

[giantkeeper]

I have a box of "drain" plugs....remind me and you can have them for free.....

[scottinAZ]

ok guys, here is the finish to last nights teaser.

Stock Lemmers weaves, BBS caps

Before: Just say NO to bottlecaps (unless you want to buy these )


During


After (suspension just came off the jacks, It really isnt that tall)


After a trip to settle the suspension


Get Back In Your Cave!!!


2 car garage my ass.... More like one plus a BUNCH of shit!!

[scottinAZ]

Late night update:

Got home from a provisioning and supply run at Costco, and came home to a present from Blunt, my trans parts had arrived (I only ordered them about noon yesterday, so HOLY SHIT FAST SERVICE)

Just finished replacing the kickdown cable on the trans. The plastic retainer on the old one had pretty much disintigrated, and the o-ring couldnt seal shit, hence the transmission leaked more than the fuckin Titanic.

Note to those who follow: most of the sites on the web tell you that you can do this with the valve body in place. Do not believe them. unless you have hemostats for fingers, you dont have the room. Bite the bullet and drop the valvebody, its only about a dozen or so bolts, and no gasket involved. I would have taken pics, however there is NO room to see anything on this job, and its so damn messy, I didnt want to fubar the camera. Just trust me, its easier. I spent an hour fighting it before I dropped the valve body, and about 15 minutes to done after I did drop it.

This should resolve the problem with tons of red fluid on my garage floor, making it look like a cheap horror movie set in there. Should also solve the will not go into gear, because I have no fuckin fluid problem as well

[scottinAZ]

decided to tackle the AC today. Got a belt, charged the system, had it blowing cold











For about an hour and a half...... Now I get to see where its leaking from. Shit. If its the damn compressor, Ill just get different hoses and the brackets for the Behr unit I have spare for my Eta. Freshly rebuilt, gathering dust. Useless without hoses and brackets. Junkyard, here I come again. Credit card, Prepare to be smoked (again)

[scottinAZ]

Well, Im taking a break from the trans issues, and focused on some other details today. I made a junkyard run this morning, and scored pretty good I think. Got the door stop piece that was missing (keeps the door from opening too far), along with a proper auto brake reservoir (just say no to rubber plugs on the nipple...


Also here is a taste of what is to happen to the front end.



I will be keeping the DB's for the time being, until I can get the rear looking good (install some form of valance.)

I decided to get the late model valance because frankly I think the early IS and ES valances look like crap, and fogs hanging off the bumper belong on a truck. So I went with this.

Total damage at the yard, under $25 :D