This has been saved, red 325iASE finishing polish action

[spook]

Simon, how long does it take to do the cambelt, i know its wise to get a new waterpump as well, i fancy doing mine myself

[Simon13]

2 hours if your having a nice plod. If your really tight you can leave the rad in but i like the space and its usually a good time to do the coolant too. RE water pump if there is play in the end of the pumpshaft or the bearings don't feel smooth and quiet when spun by hand then change it, if it feels good/ok then leave it imo. They usually growl for a long time before they sh!t themselves. And you'd notice the noise after a while too, its a bit like having a wheel bearing grumble from the front of the engine.

[Alex]

Well done for saving it, it doesnt look half bad bar the obvious

Keep up the work

[B7]

2 hours if your having a nice plod. If your really tight you can leave the rad in but i like the space and its usually a good time to do the coolant too. RE water pump if there is play in the end of the pumpshaft or the bearings don't feel smooth and quiet when spun by hand then change it, if it feels good/ok then leave it imo. They usually growl for a long time before they sh!t themselves. And you'd notice the noise after a while too, its a bit like having a wheel bearing grumble from the front of the engine.

I've had one that was on the verge of seizing and was screeching from the baring. Made a hell of a racket. When removed you could barely turn it!!

I reckon when you first buy a car and do the belt, a pump is a must unless you know the score. then every 2nd belt change at normal mileage is a good rule of thumb.

[Andyboy]

This is going to be a sweet car when done. General opinion suggests a couple of grand might not be out of order for this when all finished off. Despite the leg, would you get a better one for less?

[e30topless]

get the T-cut out Si,

red 325I se's are fetching decent dollar !

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... K:MEWAX:IT

[Simon13]

yeah the milege is a touch lower on that Steve. Had a good saturday collecting good bits for this but thats it for now. I've got my bathroom to do and some private work at a friends house which should kick start the 2dr engine build again. I'll be back on this ASAP though when i get the chance. not enough time in the days at the moment!

[glenn]

not enough time in the days at the moment!

tell me about it

[Simon13]

subframe bush time, oh look they're f**ked surprise. Its an MOT fail this why do e30's keep getting tickets when 95% have bushes like these!



bit of wiggle with a bar and a heat gun firing down the hole from inside the car. Literally 5 mins and this side dropped. t'other took a little longer but not much. To my surprise




Puller out like. Barry lent me this so thanks bert.



out of its brains, it was nearly in 2 pieces. They had 95 stamped on them!



you can see how they change shape!



Shows you like most E30's i expect that these bushes have been shot a long long time. They shouldn't touch this on the outside of the bracket!



winding her in like.



noice. This side literally took under an hour. The other was 2 - but i did that first and i've never ever done this before as i've heard soooooo many horror stories of people spending their whole weekend doing it.

Pina touring is getting the same treatment whilst on a roll as the last ring trip finished them


http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v369/ ... G_4314.jpg

http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v369/ ... G_4313.jpg
Aquired some -35mm 6 pot springs. So the rear is done.


All doing the sub frame bushes has highlighted the shagged rear top mounts i might as well do EVERY bush.

Fronts and interior for the weekend i hope. Then start the bodywork side of stuff.

[capri_rob]

Did you get the allen-key bolts holding the beam plates out in one piece or did you have to grind them off ?

[Simon13]

all 4 came out, i've never had too much problem with these in the past on breakers.

One was spinning but some mole grips sorted this. I have a few old base plates in "stock" so no problem, I've heard they are £30 for new ones!

[Dezzy]

Great work again Si. Top write up as usual.

You must have a very understanding wife.

[pacerpete]

Heat gun / flame FTW !

[B7]

You need to kick your welding man in the bollox Si and tell him to pull his finger out.

Those old bushes were like mine. And it drove okay Frightening really!

[Kedge]

Si, you made that look bloody simple. Every other write up i've seen people have pulled out the beam completely making it look way too involved.

[Simon13]

Honestly it was! Barry said its easy people over hype it - i didn't believe him. I'm going to do the alpina touring and see if theres a repeat performance coming! Well i hope so.

[Kedge]

Honestly it was! Barry said its easy people over hype it - i didn't believe him. I'm going to do the alpina touring and see if theres a repeat performance coming! Well i hope so.

Just a case of having the right tools for the job!

[old_skool]

Looking good Simon, how's MCH coming along

[Simon13]

/\ noicely dropped the crank off at the machine shop friday. So back on it. Looooooooooooooooong time Damo hope all is well.

[magpie]

where did you get the bush tool ?

[Jhonno]

Fook me Damo! Long time..

What machine shop are you using Si?

[Simon13]

Barry lent me the bush tool. It does a huge range of BM's with this type of bush fitted. e34,e28,e32,e24,e30 etc

Roe engineering, Fleet. Local joint the old man has used them since the late 60's when he was an apprentice.

[magpie]

that tool looks like a good solution to a possible weekends grief.

[moza320i]

excuse my noobishness, but i noticed this change in your pics


i was just wondering what these were and how i can change them i think mine look similar to example one lol. great work btw.

[Dezzy]

Pic 2 has had a new manifold gasket fitted.

Eurocarparts and the likes can huck you up

[spook]

Anythings easy when you have the right tools

[moza320i]

Woo I get cheap parts from euros ;) thanks fellas!

[B7]

Woo I get cheap parts from euros ;) thanks fellas!

Good luck with the exhaust studs. This car had been apart a short while ago for a head gasket and therefore came apart nicely. If yours has'nt then get the engine hot before to try to remove them and be prepared for burnt fingers!

[capri_rob]

Woo I get cheap parts from euros ;) thanks fellas!

Good luck with the exhaust studs. This car had been apart a short while ago for a head gasket and therefore came apart nicely. If yours has'nt then get the engine hot before to try to remove them and be prepared for burnt fingers!

I have a heatshield completely missing on my turd - is it worth soaking the studs in penetrating oil for a few days before trying to undo them rather than trying to do it with the engine hot ?

Sorry for the thread Hijack

[Simon]

I have a heatshield completely missing on my turd - is it worth soaking the studs in penetrating oil for a few days before trying to undo them rather than trying to do it with the engine hot ?

Sorry for the thread Hijack

Do both, but the engine really does need to be hot to make the job easier.

[capri_rob]

Just peachy Burnt hands again then.

Back on topic

[Simon13]

Well running gear is now basically done. Just rear top mounts left. So yesterday was nice day to crack onish



40mm front springs,bumpstops, eccentric lolipop bushes. And some Boge dampers in good condtion just in case. I know they are different colours but the part number are identical on them!



Looks like we need the dampers then. I pushed the rod in and all i got was bubbles around the seal. No gas left and most likely the originals. Or totally f**ked is another way to put it



They all have bumpstops like this now!



Now i know this track rod isn't an MOT fail if the ball joint has no play in it but look at it?! Never mentioned as a previous advisory either?! Its clearly been like it for years





All bolted up and check the new top mount nuts Looks a proper M20 engine bay now!




The rear action from the other day which i couldn't seem to get to work, leading onto the new stance man!






Bit of before and after on the last 2 pics. Looks ok and certainly drives better now. My only problem is the ABS is playing up when you brake. Unplug the ECU and it stops with no pulsing pedal. Which is what its doing when its plugged in. The light comes on with the ignition and goes oput once the engine fires. It doesn't come on when the car is moving either. Dirtysensor?! more like disturbed

[pacerpete]

So much paedo action Simon ! Get another rubber under them rear springs, that a rse dragging stance is a bit council and may deter your potential victims .

The move is to use a top rubber with the centre hole enlarged and fit it to the bottom rubber.

[Simon13]

yeah i get you, the car had the really thin 3mm spring pads i changed them for some thicker ones but yes i think it needs to come up a tad.

[l16ydl]

Loving the thread Simon, you do make it look easy. Have you decided what your going to do with, keep it or sell it?