Restoring my dad E30 323

[Chino33]

Hi and new to the forum

Just helping my dad restoring his old e30 323i, does anyone have a running 323 engine for sell? Or know anyone? Or can I swap for a 325i with not too much hassle?

Thanks in advance

[Brianmoooore]

M20B25 or M20B20, complete with loom, ECU and AFM will swap in easily enough, but will affect the value because of loss of originality.

[BristolE30]

Hi and new to the forum

Just helping my dad restoring his old e30 323i, does anyone have a running 323 engine for sell? Or know anyone? Or can I swap for a 325i with not too much hassle?

Thanks in advance

What’s wrong with the B23 engine?

[hennabm]

Restoring the current 323 engine is probably a better bet if you can.

[Chino33]

Unfortunately the engine is total rek! Unsalvageable and been looking every and there not one kicking about

[flybynite]

Unfortunately the engine is total rek! Unsalvageable

Unless the crankshaft is completely gone, most other things can be built back up from an early 320i engine
If it is an original car I would keep the block as well for the engine number.

Depends on what the car is as to how much it is worth doing

The M20B23 (especially the last of them) is not the best engine, having had mine for well over 30 years now I am more practised at rebuilding it than I would like to be.

[BristolE30]

Unfortunately the engine is total rek! Unsalvageable and been looking every and there not one kicking about

Yea... what do you mean by total rek? You can fix engines

[Chino33]

Hi

Thanks for all the comments. The top end of the engine is gone or as the mechanic said cost too much to repair but the crank will need new bearings and balance. So he suggested to find a workable engine and Refur that one instead of try to salvage the unsaleable

[flybynite]

Hi

Thanks for all the comments. The top end of the engine is gone or as the mechanic said cost too much to repair but the crank will need new bearings and balance. So he suggested to find a workable engine and Refur that one instead of try to salvage the unsaleable

What exactly has he said has gone? I would want something specific.

As they were never common and last made in around '86 any 323i M20B23 engine you are likely to pick up today will most likely need new bearings/rings and a rebuild to fit them. Head would likely need a skim and valves lapping etc etc. They are not a difficult engine to rebuild

Rebuilding the original engine will retain more value and originality

I think you might be talking to the wrong person about this IMHO

[hennabm]

^^^ What he said

[Satan]

Ah, its about an E30 not about restoring your Dad......... ;o)))