Lets get it running!/ Hello there intro

[Dirty325ix]

Honestly I wasn't trying to be rude, I was just in this guy's shoes 6 years ago.

I was 20 and had just bought my shell of a ix with a broken rocker arm. I even bought the car with similar dreams of rallying the crap out of the car.

So like the op I had a bad engine with a unknown history. At the time I decided it would be way easier to just slap a new top end on the thing and be done with

I guess I can estimate the cost of just slapping a new head on
Resurfacing the head-80$
Victor reinz top end gasket kit -100$
Headbolts-20$
Used head 100$
Oem head gasket (didn't trust Victor reinz) 100$

In the end I failed the headgasket change once so I had to get another gasket set, Headbolts and head gasket

So after 6 months I got the engine running and the bottom end turned out to be trashed....well shit

So I looked on Craigslist and was able to buy a running 325ix engine, with around 100,xxx miles top and bottom for 250$......hooked up the engine to the trans and It has been running ever since

Oh and now I have an extra engine to rebuild(aka you could still fix the valves and sell it)

If I just got a job working minimum wage and spent the same amount of time at the job, that I did on the first engine, than I would of had enough money to buy another car

There was a thread were people were comparing m42 to boat anchors in value. I'm sure you could get a running engine from somones swap project for around 200.

But it's your project and kept up the awesome attitude

[Resurrector27]

Thanks man!! I'm sure everything will be alright! I will be disassembling the head today. Pray that the guides are good.

[Kershaw]

More like pray to the Machine Spirits and read the Liturgy of Maintenance. :-P

No, but seriously.

[Resurrector27]

Here are some awesome valves. Head is totally disassembled and the guides are okay. I will be able to order new valves at the end of the weekend along with a gasket set.

[Shangsta]

I agree in the end it will have been cheaper to buy a used m42 but i guess now you can learn along the way

[Resurrector27]

I agree in the end it will have been cheaper to buy a used m42 but i guess now you can learn along the way

Yeah and that's half the fun!

[Resurrector27]

WELL HELLO THERE! Bet you thought my E30 killed me. I might say It tried but by that would mean i bumped my head and cut up my hands working on it. But that happens with every car we work on. So its almost 9 months later, I am Graduated from college, and i have a running E30. that still has the original engine! I did It!

Here is a quick parts listing with some approximate numbers
Right tie rod- $30
Intake valves- $114
Head gasket set- $110
Rubber intake boot thingy- $60
Belts- $22
lower radiator hose- $27 (because I put the old one on wrong and the AC pulley Cut it)

So all in all with the purchase of the car Im in it for about $600 which i would say is pretty damn good for a running/driving E30. Yes, it might be a piece of shit, but its my piece of shit that I'm going to thrash in rallyX and have a shit load of fun with. So to the few who said i couldn't do it or i would be wasting my money... suck it :) . I'm going to continue working on it, doing stupid little things here and there
i have to say what is so nice about it is that I don't care. it stupid and its fun. It could burst up in flames and i would be wondering where i could find some marshmallows. Thanks everyone!

[ELVA164]

Nice job sticking with it! Sucking it aside, it's always cool to drive something around you had a hand in assembling.

[Resurrector27]

haha yes it is. I had to say the sucking it part. even if it was a little rude :)

[supermansocks95]

Atta boy! I haven't gotten into engine rebuilds yet, but maybe someday!

[SubDad]

it might be a piece of shit, but its my piece of shit

That's my approach to life, right there.

Yes... You must live up to your name...resurrect it

You can call that done. All hail Resurrector27, a Real Mechanic, not a mere parts replacer.

[BUDNUNTA]

cool barn