Cylinder Heads on 320i E30s

[Sharknose3]

Hello,

The cylinder head on my late 1991 320i (with calalytic converter) has got worn rockers or rocker shaft and I want to just replace the whole thing with another head rather starting to swap out parts.

Is there any difference between mine and the cylinder heads of cars pre mid 1991?

GSF advised that the bottom end is different - timing belt, belt tensioner etc. so I don't want to just assume I can take the cyl. head from an '89 or '90 E30.

Thanks in advance,
Sharknose

[StuBeeDoo]

There's no difference in your very late M20 engine from the earlier M20 (September '87 on).
If you tell GSF you've got a '91 320i, they'll assume it's an E36 (even if you specify E30)! Tell them yours is a 1989 car. You'll definately get the right parts then.
I had this problem when I wanted an alternator for mine. They insisted my car is an E36 and that's why I kept getting the wrong alternator. When I told them I wanted an alternator for a 1989 320i, I got the right one first time. This seems to be a common problem getting parts from the likes of GSF, ECP etc. The trouble is the muppets don't understand - they have catalogues that tell them that E36 started in October 1990 and as far as they're concerned that's it, set in stone - because the catalogue says 1991 320i is E36, then that is what yours must be, they (think they) know your car better than you do!
They may tell you they need the registration number to get the right parts. Don't fall for that either.

[Sharknose3]

Thanks a lot Essbee