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M42 engine swap: e36 to e30

Posted: Thu Jul 24, 2008 10:15 pm
by mark_i
OK, my e30 m42 head/valves are lunched.

Got the chance to buy a complete M42 from a 1994 e36.

Apart from the sump, the biggest problem appears to be swapping the crank damper because the e36 uses a flat profile water pump/alternator belt , e30 is V-belts.

Any thoughts on the reality of correctly changing the damper between the two engines?

Thanks, Mark

Re: M42 engine swap: e36 to e30

Posted: Fri Jul 25, 2008 9:46 pm
by bene30jane
i have just put an e36 m40 in to my e30 and had to swap all the pulleys as the position of the crank sensor missed the pick up teeth on the pulley, dont know if thats any help?....

Re: M42 engine swap: e36 to e30

Posted: Fri Jul 25, 2008 10:15 pm
by mark_i
Thanks.

Swapping the pulleys is the easy bit... what is difficult is making sure the e30 crank pulley/damper pulley is correctly installed on the crank as the M42 assembly is balanced in the factory.

Re: M42 engine swap: e36 to e30

Posted: Fri Jul 25, 2008 11:24 pm
by Omi
Why not keep the superior belt system complete? I recall TimS has done this, I'll point him at this thread for input as I'm not sure what's involved...

Re: M42 engine swap: e36 to e30

Posted: Tue Jul 29, 2008 4:52 am
by mark_i
Thanks Omi

Possible, but I'm annoyed that the breaker is now lumping up the price to charge extra for the PAS pump, alternator and AC comp.

Re: M42 engine swap: e36 to e30

Posted: Sun Aug 17, 2008 9:36 pm
by bene30jane
swap the pulleys with your original ones inc the alternator

Re: M42 engine swap: e36 to e30

Posted: Sun Aug 17, 2008 9:44 pm
by uzdubmwe30
OR just get a replacement second hand head, get it skimmed and do the head gasket? (Have one here)

Im putting a 1994 lump into mine and am using the single serpentine belt setup as it's 20 times better.

Re: M42 engine swap: e36 to e30

Posted: Sun Aug 17, 2008 9:47 pm
by bene30jane
problem i found with my e36 engine was the crankshaft position sensor sat away from the pick up ring?.....