gearbox question getrag 240

[e30-EVN]

i have a question regarding a half finished m50'd e30 which im helping a local to get up and running. o0bv these sort of jobs are always the hardest lol, as its all over the place!

the guy is sure its a 325 gearbox but looking through the advert for the car when he bought it, the ad says the car has a 240 getrag box....

question- is this a 318iS gearbox? as obv this will determine the gear linkage and prop combo

t i a

Ant

[maggspower]

Hi Ant, the G240 box was used on 320i, 318is, and I think the 318i, however I think only the 318is one sits right as the bell housings are different, making the others lean over at a "funny angle" hence the linkage problems.

Did you get the steering pipe sorted on yours?

Cheers Byron

[daimlerman]

M40/M42/M50 engines all sit at the same angle.
M20/M10 sit at a different angle.
Getrang 240 was fitted to M10 316,M40 316i/318i/318iS/320i.

Difference is in the bellhousing,which shares it's casting with the gearbox.So for an M50 fit,gearbox used with M40/M42 is suitable,one used for M10/M20 is not.

[e30-EVN]

Right thanks for the info gentlemen, so we can safely say the box fitted is not a 325 box.

I didn't get to look underneath the car as it is stored right now in a cargo container so side by side space was tight. I have prepared him a list of bits he needs just by looking over the car and the only thing I wasn't sure about was what box is fitted. So he can go ahead now and find himself a 320 linkage. Goin to need to try the 316 front half of the prop that came with the car and go from there with it.

Byron - yes mate I have it sorted now mate. I took the pipe to a machine shop and had him bore it out to receive the larger banjo bolt. He did this for a fiver so I was very happy.
Thanks for that mate. Since doing that the car went for an mot and passed without even a single advisory

[HairyScreech]

as said a 240 will be a 320 or 318 box.

All of the versions of the 240 will physically fit onto the back of the m50 but due to the angle as stated above only the 318is box will go on without the mounts at the back and the steering linkage being modified a little to cope.

I think the difference in angle between the m20/m40 and m50/m42 is something like 5 to 10 degrees.

Once you look under the car it should be easy to tell what it is as either the mount will be modified or it will sit the same as a normal e30 gearbox mount.

There is still the possibility of it being a G260 325 box, as again all that would be needed is for the mount and the linkage to be adjusted a little.

Where abouts in south wales are you? (by pm if you prefer) as i'm over in swansea and have a G260 kicking about if you find you need one, also happy to have a look if you want a second set of eyes.

[e30-EVN]

yes the angle dif is 10 degrees, this is why i chose the 318iS box for my build... trouble with this one is someone has started the conversion, got so far and then given up. in steps me with the first priority to establish which box is on here

obv getting underneath said vehicle would be the easiest way of finding out but i couldn't do this today.
i have to go back when he gets back from being away so will get under it then, im hoping its 318iS box and would prefer if it was tbh as all he would need is 320 linkage and front half of a 325 prop.

in the boot was a rad - the wrong one i might add, looked like a 318 rad (to small)
a shifter and linkage - although the identity of this item is hard to tell as the one end is snapped off and not in the boot lol....
and some other items, ive prepared him a short list of bits needed so will get in touch with him when he gets back

[blue30]

I had a 318i box on the back of my m50 at first, with a 320i prop. All fits in with no funny angles. Not 100% sure but I think the 318is box is slightly longer, needing a slighly shorter prop. I used a 320i prop on my 318i box. Have heard people say they used 325i props on is boxes which would make sense.