1983 Henna Red 323i

[TDE30]

I can't believe I missed this. The perfect color, completely original, and it seems that you have made a lot of ground in restoring the exterior.

Keep us updated, I like the direction you are taking the car.

[xLibelle]

fun times

[kdevitt]

Looks great. Where'd you get the spoiler?

Actually bought it from the guy who I bought the car from - he was breaking a 325i with the full tec 1 kit, so I took the full kit and spoiler!

[kdevitt]

A few more updates. The fuel guage hasn't worked since I got the car. I also decided I wanted kph dials on the car, so decided to buy some german dials and swap over the fuel guage while I was at it.

Old and new -

KPH dials out...

Quick bit of mileage correction!!

Unfortunately it seems the fuel guage wasn't the issue. So I ordered a brand new fuel level sender from my dealer. Relatively easy to install - rear bench comes out.

Panel comes off to reveal the old sender unit.

The layout of the pipes is different on the new unit - so I still need to order new hoses. The smaller hose fits, but its kinked.

So back to the never ending bodywork issues! There were plenty of spots of bubbling paint on the drivers side sill. Took a wire brush and drill to it, and then treated the rust.

Then I sanded this down to bare metal

I removed the side trims panels and sanded dfown the rear quarter arch section. I'll spray up to this trim panel and see how it comes out.

Have a brand new nearside wing, so that got some paint - after one coat and some wetsanding -

Getting the old wing off was troublesome to say the least. Most of the bolts and rusted, rounded, seized etc! One bolt refused to budge, so with the rest removed I had to pull down the wing and convince it to come off with a hammer. Check out the amount of mud caught in behind the wing!

Took a steel brush to behind the wing and cleaned off any surface rust.

Thankfully there was no rot behind the wing at all. To keep it that way I put down two coats of underbody sealant with Waxoyl in it.

Need to get a new bottom valance now as well - its destroyed as you can see below. New offside wing required too. They'll be on the way next month hopefully - I'm not stuck for things to keep me busy with this car at the moment thankfully.

[DREWHALL]

Looks great. Where'd you get the spoiler?

[Japandrew73]

beautiful. I always think that ANY bmw looks best with completely stock options. Nothing ricer about this at all, making it Awesome.:pimp:

[kdevitt]

You sir have my subsription..


I can only speak for M20's and not M10's, but M20's don't work to well with anything other than single point spark plugs. Is that a diffrent case with the M10's? I would look into it if I were you..

That plug is now in spark plug heaven!! :) Four of the plugs were standard single point Bosch, two were like the one above.

[Huff]

hes got an m20 in there.

id love to have a henna non m e30. my dad has had two 88 henna m3s the color is awesome!

Ahh... Right, kept thinking since it was an '83 it was a 318. Anywho, then he definatly needs to go to a single point spark plug in that beauty.

[euroshark]

I am loving this.

[Hick]

hes got an m20 in there.

id love to have a henna non m e30. my dad has had two 88 henna m3s the color is awesome!

[Huff]

You sir have my subsription..


I can only speak for M20's and not M10's, but M20's don't work to well with anything other than single point spark plugs. Is that a diffrent case with the M10's? I would look into it if I were you..

[iwantspeed]

great job

[kdevitt]

Amazing job bro.

Quick suggestion on the cold startup issue. Check out the fuel pump. The fuel pump COULD be a HUGE problem on that and I'm sure with how old the current fuel pump is (guessing it's never been replaced) that it would also impact your performance on the car greatly. You can't go wrong. Like I said, if it's never been changed before either, you will inevitably have to get it done.

Will give that a go alright - have a new fuel filter to go in too which I was hoping would make a bit of a change!

[kdevitt]

Are you just painting this in your garage or outside? Are you having issues with debris in the finish afterwards? I love how it looks by the way!

A bit of both really at the moment. Am painting anything which comes off the car in my garage. Am trying to avoid painting anything outside if I can - will hopefully get the car indoors to do someof the more major work.

I've been quite lucky with the bits I have sprayed outdoors though. Had one fly jump into the paint, but he sanded out :D

[kamotors]

excellent job