325 camshaft replacement or good second hand head?

Post Tue Mar 24, 2015 9:58 pm

I've got a badly worn camshaft in my 325, just want opinions as to what would be quickest/easiest/cheapest? I'm going to do all the usual water pump, cam belt, new gaskets just not sure on how much a decent second hand head goes for or wether it's easy enough just to put a good second hand camshaft in my head, also what else is essential/worthwhile to change when replacing a camshaft?

Cheers

Post Tue Mar 24, 2015 9:59 pm

Not sure why the font is so big either?

Post Wed Mar 25, 2015 6:59 am

I have a good 325 cam on the shelf. I took it out of a cracked head because despite the overheating, it was a quiet lump. I saved the bottom end as well.

If fitting a second hand cam (which is not ideal in normal circumstances) I'd recommend new Febi Rockers and a new genuine spray bar at the very least.

Post Wed Mar 25, 2015 7:58 am

If the head you have is not cracked why change it ? Assuming you have to take the head off to change the cam (??) get it pressure tested, skimmed, new valve guides and oil seals as well as new rockers.
The cam would need to come out for a cylinder head specialist to do their bit anyway so just give them all the new bits with the good used cam to build it back up.
A complete head set IIRC is about £80 for Elring or suchlike. You also need new stretch bolts for when you put the head back on.

The other thing you need to do is to either buy a new oil spray bar ( which are now silly money for a piece of pipe with holes in ) or refurbish what you have which can be done by soaking it in a decent strong cleaner, initially tape the oil holes up and blow it through until all the crap is out, then untape the holes one at a time, clean them individually makes sure that flow is completely unrestricted. and you can also open them up slightly with a drill ( if I remember right 0.8mm but it's been a while )

Finally although a cylinder head specialist will set the valve clearances on the bench you will need to do them again with the head back on the car - mine ran like a pig for ages because I assumed that what the workshop had done on the bench was sufficient - it is not.

Post Wed Mar 25, 2015 2:32 pm

Ok so any recommendations price wise, decent second hand long block or complete engine rebuild? The car has 123000 as far as I can work out genuine miles, it's a convertible I only intend on owning for the summer then to sell to fund a winter project it's not immaculate but in very good original condition. I Don't want to get into fantastical engine rebuild cost as a don't think they'd be reflected in the sale cost over just a nice decent running car with a good second hand lump? I was hoping some guys on here might have some rough costs to compare. If not it's endless phone calls to fraggers and parts places. all and any advice is welcome

Post Wed Mar 25, 2015 2:39 pm

I have an excellent running hi comp 325 engine for £350. Guaranteed no overheating / coolant issues and as quiet as they come. the car is still a runner. If you are not keeping the car, this is your cheapest option. A 25 year old + head with a worn cam kit will undoubtedly have worn guides / valves etc and possibly corrosion issues . To address all of these issues will get very expensive REALLY quick !

Post Wed Mar 25, 2015 3:54 pm

Pacerpete are you just off the roundabout in iver? With the chords of bmw's in the back garden?

Post Wed Mar 25, 2015 4:21 pm

M2Jimbo wrote:Pacerpete are you just off the roundabout in iver? With the chords of bmw's in the back garden?

That's some other scrap collecting freak

Post Wed Mar 25, 2015 4:22 pm

Get that engine bought off Pete - if you don't intend to keep the car and have the means to swap it over its a no brainer.

Post Wed Mar 25, 2015 9:10 pm

alternative is to swap out an already reco'd head

Post Wed Mar 25, 2015 9:30 pm

reggid wrote:alternative is to swap out an already reco'd head

By the time you've bought the required head set, head bolts plus the already reconditioned head ( which won't be cheap ) the OP may as well have just bought Pacers engine which assuming he can get access to an engine crane for the day will just be a straight swap - the only thing he really need to do before the new engine goes in is bung a new cambelt on it job jobbed.

Post Wed Mar 25, 2015 10:53 pm

Cheers guys sounds like the way forward, pacerpete I shall be in contact via a pm shortly. Mines a pre facelift on an 88 but I think it's a motronic? Later type? I will check some numbers when I get home tomorrow.

Post Thu Mar 26, 2015 7:21 pm

How worn is "badly worn" depending on how bad the cam shaft is it could just be age, some of these engines are getting seriously leggy now.

Post Sat Mar 28, 2015 3:51 pm

HairyScreech wrote:How worn is "badly worn" depending on how bad the cam shaft is it could just be age, some of these engines are getting seriously leggy now.

About .5mm groove on 1 and 5 inlet. Enough that the adjuster won't take the slack any more. Other than that it's not a bad lump, other than a few oil leaks. Feels like it's still got plenty of power even though it must be down a bit due to them valves not opening fully.