1971 BMW 1600 Project

[oliver.r]

your progress makes me feel lazy

[phreshkid]

Yeah, you have to break in the pads (I think it's called bedding the pads?). The first time I did the pads in my MK2 Jetta, I didn't know that they had to be broken in. Nearly overshot the intersection at the end of my street lol.

I'll bleed the brakes one more time after I put a few miles on the car. You are probably right in that the pads need to "bed". Thanks for the insight!

your progress makes me feel lazy

I should get a real job.

[LJ851]

Buy one of these for bleeding hydraulics, save your thigh muscles for something fun and female.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000Q6SL2W/ref=pd_lpo_k2_dp_sr_1?pf_rd_p=1535523722&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=B0002KM5L0&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=1PGNW4GQRD625N5WNA3N

[phreshkid]

Buy one of these for bleeding hydraulics, save your thigh muscles for something fun and female.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000Q6SL2W/ref=pd_lpo_k2_dp_sr_1?pf_rd_p=1535523722&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=B0002KM5L0&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=1PGNW4GQRD625N5WNA3N

Something something I am saving it for marriage?




























Or at least I tried. Sort of.

[ForcedFirebird]

Easiest way to bleed a clutch slave is to fill the system, and before installing the slave in the transmission, plunge the slave push-rod in and out and you will hear all the air going up into the reservoir (make sure the pedal is in the "up" position if lacking return spring). Then once you get in the car, it will take very few pedal depressions to finalize the bleeding.

[phreshkid]

Easiest way to bleed a clutch slave is to fill the system, and before installing the slave in the transmission, plunge the slave push-rod in and out and you will hear all the air going up into the reservoir (make sure the pedal is in the "up" position if lacking return spring). Then once you get in the car, it will take very few pedal depressions to finalize the bleeding.

Thanks for the advice! The only problem is that, all 1600s used a mechanical clutch system, not your common hydraulic clutch mechanism like you'd see in e28s or e30s. The idea between the two is the same, but the configuration and parts used is very different. Instead of a slave cylinder, there is a hole in the transmission where a rod goes through, to access the clutch fork(?).


I am planning on upgrading to a 5-speed unit from an e21 very soon. 4 speed is cool, but with the rear end ratio I'm running (3.91), it's not going to be very practical for freeway running.

[CorvallisBMW]

I am planning on upgrading to a 5-speed unit from an e21 very soon. 4 speed is cool, but with the rear end ratio I'm running (3.91), it's not going to be very practical for freeway running.

Good call.

[LJ851]

5 speed is nice, 4 speed with a 3.45 diff is pretty nice too. Are you just going to swap a hydro clutch pedal box in with the 5 speed?


Looking good.

[ForcedFirebird]

Still bleeds the same, though ;)

Also gravity bleeding helps if you don't have a vac/pressure bleeder. Open all the valves with a full reservoir of fluid and wait until you see drips, then close and bleed with the pedals.

either way, good to see she's moving under her own power :)

[phreshkid]

5 speed is nice, 4 speed with a 3.45 diff is pretty nice too. Are you just going to swap a hydro clutch pedal box in with the 5 speed?


Looking good.

Yes, that's the plan. If I can manage to get it all done before mid-august, I'll be taking it to Pebble Beach for the concourse weekend. Not to enter it into any shows, but to put around in during the festivities.

Still bleeds the same, though ;)

Also gravity bleeding helps if you don't have a vac/pressure bleeder. Open all the valves with a full reservoir of fluid and wait until you see drips, then close and bleed with the pedals.

either way, good to see she's moving under her own power :)

I'm about 90% sure we used the Gravity Bleeding method on the brakes. The clutch required almost zero tinkering and started working just fine. With the new engine, I opted for a new 228mm clutch, which is significantly larger/heavier flywheel than the 1600's original 200mm clutch. Definitely makes for slower revving. I'll remedy this by having a lightweight steel 228mm flywheel ready to go with the install of the 5 speed.

[phreshkid]

Update:

After I responded to Lorin's post this morning, I did a quick Craigslist search for possible 5-speed cars worthy of becoming a donor for the little blue 1600. I then found one and I bought a donor car for the transmission swap. Good thing is that this is real 320iS with the lsd, recaros, and other iS bits that people like to buy/collect. I will part it out and keep and the cool stuff for myself.



I also negotiated with a local 02 shop to dial in the carb and suspension/alignment. This thing should be road-worthy in a matter of days.

[kronus]

... I have a 5-speed under my workbench..

[phreshkid]

... I have a 5-speed under my workbench..

Cuanto?

I bought this car because it comes with pretty much all the parts I need to get the swap done, minus the later, hydraulic pedal box. I'll either grab one from one of my other project cars, or buy a freshly refurbished one from my buddy at Coupeking in Long Beach.

Does your 5-speed come with the shift platform and linkage?

[LJ851]

When you do this swap, try to use a 3 bolt output flange on the trans and driveshaft, the guibos last way longer in my experience. You have to shorten the drive shaft any way and i think your parts car should have the correct flanges.

The 3 bolt guibo is slightly thinner so pay attention to correct driveshaft length when shortening.

[dirty30]

Another E21 on deathrow. Sad.