1990 325is restomod project aka "Klaus"

[Staszek]

Was under the weather, I wanted to work in the garage but it was hot and I felt like crap.

So instead I did an equally annoying task. Replace the glass on my fog lights.


Cutting away all the silicone is a pain, even when you get it the glass doesn't want to come out. At least the glass was already broken so I just broke it more and pulled out the pieces.


Next you need to clean all the old silicone out, its a long tedious process. Here is what it looks like when its mostly done. I just cleaned the channel out a bit more.


Last but not least I put in the new silicone adhesive, clamped it and will let it sit overnight. While I am waiting I used SEM trim paint to refresh the mounting brackets.

[Staszek]

Few little things done today. Finished up the water pump and thermostat. Forgot to take pics.

Also got the new power steering pump and alternator on.



I started to put the AC compressor on, but since I switched to an E36 compressor how the hell do I put the tensioner on, maybe I need to get an E36 one?

[Staszek]

Worked on the car a little, got the water pump and the thermostat back on, but not much else so no real update. Next weekend I should have the S54 all buttoned up and over to the engine builder.

Instead, I just relaxed, went to a few festivals in the city, and had some nice top-down driving on Sunday!

[Secniv]

Probably could, although decided to go to a street festival instead:) Need a break between work travel and the car I have not done anything relaxing for a while.

I will do it after work tomorrow, I can pick some up at the dealer.

According to my wife working on the car is relaxing ;)

[parkerbink]

Good idea.

All work & no play.

[Staszek]

That sucks. Can't you get them at a parts store? They don't have to be BMW do they?

Probably could, although decided to go to a street festival instead:) Need a break between work travel and the car I have not done anything relaxing for a while.

I will do it after work tomorrow, I can pick some up at the dealer.

[parkerbink]

That sucks. Can't you get them at a parts store? They don't have to be BMW do they?

[Staszek]

Foiled by $4 worth of parts today! It seemed like it would be a good day, I was going to change the water pump, thermostat, put on the new alternator and PS pump and I was stopped in my tracks by a few dollar part.


I forgot to buy the two new O Rings for the two metal hoses that go into the water pump. I am sure the old ones would hold, they seemed good, but didnt want to do all this work and have to redo it later because a couple of washers went.

I test fitted the E36 Motor arms today they fit but it looks like the bolts on the left side of the engine are a different size due to different mounting locations. I need to check into that.

Here are some gratuitous shots of the new and old thermostat and water pump. I will pick up the rings tomorrow. I cant even lift the engine now due to the bracket holding in the thermostat housing.

[Staszek]

Had to go to a dinner tonight so the wife told me not to get too crazy dirty today lol.

So I did small projects that need to be done, probably not now but its something.

First cleaned off the set of Euro Grills I bought off the board a while ago. They were dirty and faded. The dishwasher did wonders!


Hit them with a bit of SEM trim paint, they look like new now!


Next I worked on the headlights. Bought Depo's a long time ago also since I knew I was converting them to HID I didnt want to buy Hella's. They are actually pretty decent quality, and its just nice to get new glass.



Installed the Morimoto Mini Bi Xenon Projectors with 4500K bulbs using the Squared Adapters, good thing I bought them before he disappeared.



Cant wait to see these things light up. I still need a pigtail for the highbeams, H1 pigtail right?

[Staszek]

haha perfect! and less dead weight in the house!!

Yea the garage is getting quite full.

[2mAn]

M20 is SOLD!! No going back now :)

haha perfect! and less dead weight in the house!!

[Staszek]

M20 is SOLD!! No going back now :)

[Staszek]

The block had some rust on it, so before I put all the new accessories, engine harness, starter etc back on I thought I would take care of that.

The goal was not to make the engine showroom, I would have had to completely strip the engine down and I wasn't planning on doing that.

I used some of this


Its pretty cool stuff, it actually seals the rust and turns it into an iron phosphate. Its pretty watery, you paint it on, let it sit overnight and it turns black. After that you just paint it with any top coat paint you want.

I just picked a low gloss black to keep it closer to the OEM paint. Again not show room but all the surface rust is sealed and it looks better to me.



Traveling again, but when I get back work some more on the engine and get the rest of the front of the car tied up with the new suspension and steering.

[Staszek]

I might have to hire you to help me with my engine swap down here in Springfield, MO soon!

He knows his stuff! It took us like maybe an hour to pull that engine. I will say it is easier if you take a little time each night before and disconnect parts. I had all the oils drained, all the lines disconnected (except I missed part of the engine harness) and radiator etc out before we pulled it. That helps a lot.

[Cha Ching]

Nice to see that engine bay cleaned up. Easy peasy engine pull thanks to all the prep work you did!! You've got my number if you need any more help

I might have to hire you to help me with my engine swap down here in Springfield, MO soon!