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The Resurrection of God's Vibrator

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    The Resurrection of God's Vibrator

    I bought/traded for this sad 318is from a friend who was moving his shop to a new location. I was/am still out of work and he needed a hand moving, but the timing just didn't work out. He was busy and I had some obligations come up. But I really want the car and remembered I had a front clip he needed and a few bucks.







    At first my plan was to respray the car all silver and put it back together and fulfill the need to have a silver 318is in my roster with a nice interior and some other tasty things I will not presently discuss. ;)

    But that all changed as I got to thinking more about it. I could learn how to do a few things I'd never done before with this car and have fun learning and doing and getting it back in tip top shape! So I opted to stay red, especially since this was built a day before my fourth birthday. I tend to keep cars built in February.

    Anyways, I quickly got to looking for body panels and figured I'd find the other parts from my parts car, etc.

    I found doors, fenders, a hood, I didn't need (but it has the late formed under-hood insulation that I will use), an iS Valence with fog lights and iS lip and then some. So off to PA, I went. I live in VA by the way but my motto is that I will travel for things I need if the seller is honest with me. Too many people these days expect everything to be right in their neighborhood which I think is silly.

    My old parts car, which has kept at least five other E30s on the road, now six including the 318is:


    Just the two of us.


    In progress:


    I found and removed the remnants of the fan belt:


    I'm really hoping to make a complete set of bumpers from these shards. I need more shards to complete the puzzle. Does anyone have anything?


    I ran out of factory sheet metal/body panel screws but got this far including test fitting the front valence.


    Don't leave connections exposed. This was from the previous, previous owners attempt to power the fuel pump. Unfortunately he or she forgot that uninsulated leads blow fuses at best and cause fires at worst. Luckily the fuse gave up the ghost here.


    There is more to come. I found my fender screws thereafter in the parts car and in this car. I got it running by properly terminating the fuel pump wires, draining the slightly less shitty gas from the parts car and putting it into this car, using the fuel pump from the parts car, and using my E28 as a battery. As you can see the battery tray is long removed from the 318is.

    After getting it to start briefly, it quit running. A friend mentioned that I may simply not be getting spark and boy was he right. The valve cover gasket is so far gone that cylinder 1, 3, and 4 all had a good amount of oil causing them to lose continuity with their leads. I pulled all four plugs, cleaned the plug wire ends, wiped the plugs clean of oil and put them back in. With a little bit of persuasion, we got the car running again.

    Then and only then did I bother with doing the belts, other miscellaneous items.

    Today after doing the power steering belt and the A/C belt I was able to drive the car for the first time under my ownership and possibly for the first time since 2015.

    I still need to swap the steering column from my parts car into this car because the splines are fubar and the steering wheel nut will absolutely NOT thread on.

    For the future. I plan to source a black/gray carpet, install my black rear seats, recondition some sport seats, and redo the headliner since someone in the past shreaded it while trying to remove the sunroof mechanism. I know I didn't post any pictures of the interior but rest assured that they are coming. I'm just glad to have a running driving E30 318is! I'm still looking for a Sterling Silver one to add to the family.

    Oh and the name? Well as we know E30s are known as God's Chariot however this one was buzzy and stumbled alot when first started as such I aptly named it God's Vibrator. Take it as you will, or don't. Fuck if I care.
    Last edited by alco; 10-08-2017, 08:28 PM.
    sigpic

    Velocity Motor Works


    1972 2002
    1983 533is
    1987 325is (Roxanne)
    1988 M6
    1989 M3
    1989 325ix (Darth Maul)

    Gone: 1974 2002, 1984 318i , 1985 318i, 1988 325ix Sedan, 1988 325ix Coupe, 1991 318is, 1991 318i, 1994 525iT, 1995 325is, 1996 M3 Coupe, 1997 328is, 2001 325i, 2001 Z3 2.5i, 2001 330i, 2001 525iT, 2006 F-250 SD and more...

    #2
    Apparently the pics don't work because Google...

    FIXED
    Last edited by alco; 10-09-2017, 07:59 AM.
    sigpic

    Velocity Motor Works


    1972 2002
    1983 533is
    1987 325is (Roxanne)
    1988 M6
    1989 M3
    1989 325ix (Darth Maul)

    Gone: 1974 2002, 1984 318i , 1985 318i, 1988 325ix Sedan, 1988 325ix Coupe, 1991 318is, 1991 318i, 1994 525iT, 1995 325is, 1996 M3 Coupe, 1997 328is, 2001 325i, 2001 Z3 2.5i, 2001 330i, 2001 525iT, 2006 F-250 SD and more...

    Comment


      #3
      Entertaining...subbed


      Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
      BMWCCA #389756

      Comment


        #4
        Oh shit, he found the forum.
        Originally posted by priapism
        My girl don't know shit, but she bakes a mean cupcake.
        Originally posted by shameson
        Usually it's best not to know how much money you have into your e30

        Comment


          #5
          Originally posted by Northern View Post
          Oh shit, he found the forum.

          LOL, I've come back to the forum. I remember the days of Poping tires...and then some. Just never posted much.
          sigpic

          Velocity Motor Works


          1972 2002
          1983 533is
          1987 325is (Roxanne)
          1988 M6
          1989 M3
          1989 325ix (Darth Maul)

          Gone: 1974 2002, 1984 318i , 1985 318i, 1988 325ix Sedan, 1988 325ix Coupe, 1991 318is, 1991 318i, 1994 525iT, 1995 325is, 1996 M3 Coupe, 1997 328is, 2001 325i, 2001 Z3 2.5i, 2001 330i, 2001 525iT, 2006 F-250 SD and more...

          Comment


            #6
            I clicked for the title, but I sub'd for the content / a fellow VA-er.

            Comment


              #7
              Little progress, I pulled the steering column out of the parts car , fought the stupid shear bolts and swapped over the lock cylinders, now to find the now backordered bushings I destroyed...
              Last edited by alco; 10-18-2017, 07:09 AM. Reason: I can't spell good all the time.
              sigpic

              Velocity Motor Works


              1972 2002
              1983 533is
              1987 325is (Roxanne)
              1988 M6
              1989 M3
              1989 325ix (Darth Maul)

              Gone: 1974 2002, 1984 318i , 1985 318i, 1988 325ix Sedan, 1988 325ix Coupe, 1991 318is, 1991 318i, 1994 525iT, 1995 325is, 1996 M3 Coupe, 1997 328is, 2001 325i, 2001 Z3 2.5i, 2001 330i, 2001 525iT, 2006 F-250 SD and more...

              Comment


                #8
                I have a set of red plastic bumpers I'd let go if you want them.
                My Garage
                2001 Z3 2.5i Steel Gray/Black (Lexi)
                1988 325ix Diamond Schwartz/Black (Izzy)
                1989 325i Cirrus Blue/Houndstooth (Stitch)
                Feedback

                Instagram: Stone.Hopkins

                Comment


                  #9
                  Yes please.


                  Originally posted by stonea View Post
                  I have a set of red plastic bumpers I'd let go if you want them.
                  sigpic

                  Velocity Motor Works


                  1972 2002
                  1983 533is
                  1987 325is (Roxanne)
                  1988 M6
                  1989 M3
                  1989 325ix (Darth Maul)

                  Gone: 1974 2002, 1984 318i , 1985 318i, 1988 325ix Sedan, 1988 325ix Coupe, 1991 318is, 1991 318i, 1994 525iT, 1995 325is, 1996 M3 Coupe, 1997 328is, 2001 325i, 2001 Z3 2.5i, 2001 330i, 2001 525iT, 2006 F-250 SD and more...

                  Comment


                    #10
                    Steering column pulled from the donor car:



                    Everything appears to be in order. Little did I know those stupid shear bolts on the side would be a royal pain in the dick!
                    sigpic

                    Velocity Motor Works


                    1972 2002
                    1983 533is
                    1987 325is (Roxanne)
                    1988 M6
                    1989 M3
                    1989 325ix (Darth Maul)

                    Gone: 1974 2002, 1984 318i , 1985 318i, 1988 325ix Sedan, 1988 325ix Coupe, 1991 318is, 1991 318i, 1994 525iT, 1995 325is, 1996 M3 Coupe, 1997 328is, 2001 325i, 2001 Z3 2.5i, 2001 330i, 2001 525iT, 2006 F-250 SD and more...

                    Comment


                      #11
                      I fought those PITA shear bolts and ended up drilling the most stubborn one out. On the old column, I just tack welded the washer to the sheared bolt and turned the washer to save the bushings/sleeves for reuse. It worked out okay.





                      While I was in there, I made sure to swap the lock cylinders around so that at least the trunk and the ignition have the same key. I should really find a locksmith to re-key the doors to match the ignition.



                      Also, this is the sole reason I ended up having to change the column out in this car.

                      sigpic

                      Velocity Motor Works


                      1972 2002
                      1983 533is
                      1987 325is (Roxanne)
                      1988 M6
                      1989 M3
                      1989 325ix (Darth Maul)

                      Gone: 1974 2002, 1984 318i , 1985 318i, 1988 325ix Sedan, 1988 325ix Coupe, 1991 318is, 1991 318i, 1994 525iT, 1995 325is, 1996 M3 Coupe, 1997 328is, 2001 325i, 2001 Z3 2.5i, 2001 330i, 2001 525iT, 2006 F-250 SD and more...

                      Comment


                        #12
                        Unfortunately the car didn't come with intact taillights. Someone had unleashed his fury on the lenses. Lucky for me, and because I'm some what of a hoarder, I found these in my shed at home and put them to use. I still need to find a few of those 8 mm nuts and the two side clamps to really hold these lamps in place...






                        Of course before I could test my brake lights, I needed the switch, I'm so glad I didn't crush this parts car long ago...so glad!





                        Just before I left the car for the day, I set the clock on the OBC.

                        sigpic

                        Velocity Motor Works


                        1972 2002
                        1983 533is
                        1987 325is (Roxanne)
                        1988 M6
                        1989 M3
                        1989 325ix (Darth Maul)

                        Gone: 1974 2002, 1984 318i , 1985 318i, 1988 325ix Sedan, 1988 325ix Coupe, 1991 318is, 1991 318i, 1994 525iT, 1995 325is, 1996 M3 Coupe, 1997 328is, 2001 325i, 2001 Z3 2.5i, 2001 330i, 2001 525iT, 2006 F-250 SD and more...

                        Comment


                          #13
                          Nice work. It will live again!

                          form.follows.function IG @mplfoster

                          Comment


                            #14
                            Originally posted by MPLFoster View Post
                            Nice work. It will live again!
                            Thanks man! More to come once I get the Imgur situation fixed.

                            Sent from my Moto G (5) Plus using Tapatalk
                            sigpic

                            Velocity Motor Works


                            1972 2002
                            1983 533is
                            1987 325is (Roxanne)
                            1988 M6
                            1989 M3
                            1989 325ix (Darth Maul)

                            Gone: 1974 2002, 1984 318i , 1985 318i, 1988 325ix Sedan, 1988 325ix Coupe, 1991 318is, 1991 318i, 1994 525iT, 1995 325is, 1996 M3 Coupe, 1997 328is, 2001 325i, 2001 Z3 2.5i, 2001 330i, 2001 525iT, 2006 F-250 SD and more...

                            Comment


                              #15
                              Started working on lighting up front since I got the rear done. I like symmetry in things.

                              When I got there, I found that the temp sensor had been snipped, explains why the OBC read -22F, and I have some connectors that don't make sense.

                              Headlights roughed in, I need to locate screws to attach them. One screw currently holds in the driver's side.

                              Could this be for turn signals? It has to be.


                              I'm betting this is for the fog lights.


                              This must be for side markers.


                              I think this is for the outside temperature sensor. I need to find one with a pigtail.


                              Sent from my Moto G (5) Plus using Tapatalk
                              Last edited by alco; 10-20-2017, 09:40 AM.
                              sigpic

                              Velocity Motor Works


                              1972 2002
                              1983 533is
                              1987 325is (Roxanne)
                              1988 M6
                              1989 M3
                              1989 325ix (Darth Maul)

                              Gone: 1974 2002, 1984 318i , 1985 318i, 1988 325ix Sedan, 1988 325ix Coupe, 1991 318is, 1991 318i, 1994 525iT, 1995 325is, 1996 M3 Coupe, 1997 328is, 2001 325i, 2001 Z3 2.5i, 2001 330i, 2001 525iT, 2006 F-250 SD and more...

                              Comment

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