The cam gears' bolts should be centered in the slots when the cams are in their TDC position. That can only be accomplished with the chain on the exact right link. Now, with that said, you'll still likely need to do some tweaking after the initial alignment. Get everything as TDC-looking as possible, and then turn the engine 2 revolutions by hand/wrench, and re-check. Adjust the cams as needed and repeat once more. It is possible to get all of the slack out of the sections on the first try, but I have always found that doing at least one turn-and-repeat has allowed me to correct 0.5-1 degree of error that appears after cycling it.
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M42 from E36 into E30
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Originally posted by bmwman91 View PostThe cam gears' bolts should be centered in the slots when the cams are in their TDC position. That can only be accomplished with the chain on the exact right link. Now, with that said, you'll still likely need to do some tweaking after the initial alignment. Get everything as TDC-looking as possible, and then turn the engine 2 revolutions by hand/wrench, and re-check. Adjust the cams as needed and repeat once more. It is possible to get all of the slack out of the sections on the first try, but I have always found that doing at least one turn-and-repeat has allowed me to correct 0.5-1 degree of error that appears after cycling it.1991 BMW 318i Alpinweiß II Slicktop 231,000 Miles Build date: Wednesday, 1/30/1991
2003 BMW Z4 2.5i Sterlinggrau Metallic 112,000 Miles Build Date: Monday 12/9/2002
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Originally posted by bmwman91 View PostI would do it with the head off, but it probably doesn't matter.1991 BMW 318i Alpinweiß II Slicktop 231,000 Miles Build date: Wednesday, 1/30/1991
2003 BMW Z4 2.5i Sterlinggrau Metallic 112,000 Miles Build Date: Monday 12/9/2002
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Any shop that resurfaces an assembled head will dis/reassemble it on a bench, so no worries there.
If you have a stock flywheel you can lock it at TDC with an 8mm pin or bolt through a port in the block under the starter. I don't have a stock one, so I use a rod through a spark plug hole and some calipers to set the position at TDC based on the stroke length.
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Originally posted by bmwman91 View PostAny shop that resurfaces an assembled head will dis/reassemble it on a bench, so no worries there.
If you have a stock flywheel you can lock it at TDC with an 8mm pin or bolt through a port in the block under the starter. I don't have a stock one, so I use a rod through a spark plug hole and some calipers to set the position at TDC based on the stroke length.1991 BMW 318i Alpinweiß II Slicktop 231,000 Miles Build date: Wednesday, 1/30/1991
2003 BMW Z4 2.5i Sterlinggrau Metallic 112,000 Miles Build Date: Monday 12/9/2002
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Got it. You could use the alignment marks on the oil filter housing (a big arrow in the casting) and the 60-2 toothed damper wheel. There is a notch in one of the teeth that the arrow points at. It is, IMO, useless with the engine in the car since you can't look straight at it, but on a stand it should be handy.
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Originally posted by bmwman91 View PostGot it. You could use the alignment marks on the oil filter housing (a big arrow in the casting) and the 60-2 toothed damper wheel. There is a notch in one of the teeth that the arrow points at. It is, IMO, useless with the engine in the car since you can't look straight at it, but on a stand it should be handy.1991 BMW 318i Alpinweiß II Slicktop 231,000 Miles Build date: Wednesday, 1/30/1991
2003 BMW Z4 2.5i Sterlinggrau Metallic 112,000 Miles Build Date: Monday 12/9/2002
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Project was put on hold for some work on the Z4 I have, it desperately needed strut top mounts and the short springs made it a pain to do. Just started preparations for pulling the engine and trans today. Head came out great, passed pressure test, and was machined flat.
First, some more of the cylinder 1 carnage now that I got the crank and pistons out on the E36 block:
Freshly machined head from the E36 block. It is now fully assembled and cams locked for when I put everything back together.
ZERO pitting on the profile gasket area, much better than the head that's in the car:
Valves look really good, three of the four look like this, but cylinder one has a little more carbon build up. Not sure why
Cylinder 1
Intakes out:
Exhaust out:
I decided to pull the intakes and set the wiring up on the windshield, for anyone digging through this thread, I find this easier than pulling the wiring through the firewall, and allows easier access to the lift points on the engine, especially in the rear. This also allows you to put the throttle body off to the side instead of disconnecting the throttle cable. I recommend labeling the two coolant temp senders and the oil pressure sensor wiring, they are relatively in the same location, and use similar connectors.
Mostly there in the engine bay.
Turns out I was wearing my favorite shirt when I started taking stuff apart!
1991 BMW 318i Alpinweiß II Slicktop 231,000 Miles Build date: Wednesday, 1/30/1991
2003 BMW Z4 2.5i Sterlinggrau Metallic 112,000 Miles Build Date: Monday 12/9/2002
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Also, these are the timing marks at TDC. You can see them clearly without the alternator in the way, basically, you want to look at it from such an angle that the arrow appears straight.
1991 BMW 318i Alpinweiß II Slicktop 231,000 Miles Build date: Wednesday, 1/30/1991
2003 BMW Z4 2.5i Sterlinggrau Metallic 112,000 Miles Build Date: Monday 12/9/2002
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Originally posted by bmwman91 View PostI need that shirt in my life. Where did you get it?
Found it! https://www.blipshift.com/products/l...-to-temptationLast edited by Gloff; 06-18-2019, 12:27 PM.1991 BMW 318i Alpinweiß II Slicktop 231,000 Miles Build date: Wednesday, 1/30/1991
2003 BMW Z4 2.5i Sterlinggrau Metallic 112,000 Miles Build Date: Monday 12/9/2002
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Originally posted by bmwman91 View PostHa, thanks! If it ever comes back, I am all over it.
Motor's out, now it's just a waiting game on parts from Pelican.
1991 BMW 318i Alpinweiß II Slicktop 231,000 Miles Build date: Wednesday, 1/30/1991
2003 BMW Z4 2.5i Sterlinggrau Metallic 112,000 Miles Build Date: Monday 12/9/2002
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I'm going to remove the A/C compressor and power steering. Any idea what length bolt to replace the one going through the lower timing cover that doubles for the A/C bracket?1991 BMW 318i Alpinweiß II Slicktop 231,000 Miles Build date: Wednesday, 1/30/1991
2003 BMW Z4 2.5i Sterlinggrau Metallic 112,000 Miles Build Date: Monday 12/9/2002
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