1991 318is resto

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Getting ready for the subframe cleanup! First had to crack-free the four bolts holding the trailing arms to the rear beam... It was an EPIC battle, worthy of a Beowulf-like epic poem for sure, but I did manage to get them loose!! I now firmly believe restoring a car is all about forearm strength... atleast 95% of it anyways....

Dirty rotten bast*rds out and bagged:


Whats left:




Also got to work on the rear sway bar...



Removal, with the subframe out, was easy for a change... The bolts gave easily, probably scared by the beating those subframe bolts got!!



Not too shabby but a little rusty...


New kit, including bushings and brackets, links and bolts..



Took her out and cleaned her up... lots of fun...



With the cleanup complete, a few coats of anti-rust paint applied and the bushings as well. I used KY jelly, uh, cause it works...





Fuel tank is next!!!!!

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Well fuel tank is next... With the subframe out of the way this isnt a huge job - but throw in 24 years of rain/road salt/snow/sand/dirt and it gets interesting...

Thinking ahead, I started WD40ing the bolts a few weeks back..

Here you can see the state of my brake lines ( a wee bit of rust..) and the rusted seam of the fuel tank:





To get started first I disconnected the fuel filler hose here on the right:



Here was the result of my first bolt removal attempt:



I took a moment and thought "This is going to be fun..."

Undetered I continued on.. The tank has 3 attachment points facing forward, two bolts far left, and center and one nut which attaches to a stud on the far right - that's good to know cause I didn't...

Luckily I took it easier and got the 2nd one off.. Here is the stud:



On my car the far left forward bolt has the fuel filter
in the way..While a small pain in the *ss it came out...





Out:



Being optimistic about my chances of actually getting this thing out I disconnected the fuel lines to the filter and put a support underneath the tank...





Oddly enough the rear facing bolts came out no problem - go figure... and I was able to drop the tank:



However there are a few lines to disconnect: Electrical supply to the pump (previously removed)



Fuel line to the filter:





Vent lines:



This line, at the top of the pic below is a vent line to the charcoal filter. Its completely useless and will be completely removed. I will also not be reinstalling the charcoal filter. The vent line from the venting system (black part of it on right) will be rolled up with a small fuel line filter attached and vented to the atmosphere...



with something like this..



The frame of the car with the tank out: Brake line and fuel line replacement is a breeze now...





Almost out:


Out and uh, in the way... :)

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[Split_S]

I was tooling in my new neighbour's garage while he was out at work and came across this:



WOW! Amazing the things one can find..

Figuring he wouldn't miss it, I dragged it over to my place...

Now I stated before I have never welded but like all things in this project to date IGNORANCE is not an obstacle!

I went to the local welder and bought this:



I figured since my welding experience totals ZERO I would start where it wouldn't show "if" I messed up... Logical place being the footwells...













So out with the grinder nice and early next morning.... zip zip cut cut...





Like a fat girl in a tight shirt: not pretty...







That left hand corner was really bad. I have to be honest and say I was pretty scared.



Now how do I turn this welder on......