Oil pump etc for a M52TU28.

[rsjon]

I have a problem finding the right combination of oil pump, pick up pipe and drive chain for my September 1998 alloy blocked M52TUB28 engine.
I bought an E34 sump and dipstick which are fine.
However, when I opened up the engine there is a large aluminium windage tray/oil scraper made as one unit with the oil pump. This cannot be used as it is because the E34/E38 pick up pipe does not connect to the oil pump (two bolts and paper gasket versus o ring and one bolt). So I bought an M50 oil pump, with a view to cutting the windage tray so as to use the 'tray' part and the M50 pump.
When I got the M50 pump I found that one mounting hole was slightly out of position (this has been covered on the Zone before). I investigated and decided to enlarge the hole, even though I wasn't very happy with this because where the pump seals against the block there is no gasket so the mating surfaces have to be perfect. Before I did so, however, I did a dummy fit up and found that the oil pump drive chain was way too slack.
It is now apparent to me that the M52 block is different in quite a few ways!
So, please, can somebody give me some good advice on these problems? At the moment I think I should probably go ahead and find a shorter chain.
However there is an E38 oil pump for up to Jan 2000 (1 740 852) that has the correct pick up fitting and should fit without drilling as it is off an M52.....any thoughts?
Yours, confused,
Jon.

[Motorhole]

I'm not sure I can really help with your issue - but the M52B28TU pump arrangement sounds identical to that of an M54. I get the gist that the M52TU does have more in common with the M54 than the M52, it's not simply an upgrade to dual VANOS.

On this point though, might be worth seeing what people who have dropped M54s into their E30s have done. There are a few knocking about

Note also the pump sprockets between M54 and M52/M50 are slightly different sizes iirc. Might explain your slack chain issue.

Good luck.

[rsjon]

Sorry for lateness in getting back to you. I think I have solved the problems.
There is a definite lack of knowledge regarding M52TU and M54 engines, hopefully the following will go some way towards rectifying that.
The M52TU and the M54 are quite similar but not identical, but they are quite different from the previous M52 and M50.
The oil pump and combined ladder/strengthening plate on the M52TU needs to be retained and a new pickup pipe fabricated to suit this oil pump (o ring and one bolt end) and suit the E34 sump. In addition a small section needs removing from the other end of the plate as it clashes with a bulge on the E34 sump.
The M54 has yet another type of oil pump, different from the M50 and M52/TU. It is not part of a strengthening plate like the M52. The M54 has small plates going from the block to the main bearing caps to strengthen the block
In addition I have found that the M52TU and M54 has higher (in the block) mounting points for the oil pump. This, I believe explains why the M50 chain was slack when fitted to the M52TU.
Hope this helps other people, but do please post if you feel I have something wrong!
Jon.

[jimbo88b]

Hi Jon, have you got this sorted now? I have done an M52 tub28 conversion and had similar problems, it seems the twin vanos has subtle differences. I found the E34 sump kit i bought unsuitable as the oil pump chain was slack amongst other problems. I resold the E34 kit and bought the bottom end from a 1999 728. The sump is the correct hand and you get the oil pump and windage plate, which fitted straight on with the correct chain tension. Is yours up and running yet? Cheers James.

[rsjon]

No, I haven't even got the sump on yet.
I don't understand why the 728 bits work but if they do then fine!
I do know though that what I have done will work.
Jon.