engine rebuild?

[e30bmlover]

hi all, the m20b25(pre facelift)should be with me shortly, could someone give me some idea of things to replace once its here. i want it running sweet. i was just going to send the engine in to be re built.
thanks tim

[e30bmlover]

bump

[stonesie]

do you want a quick refresh or a total re-build?

The refresh would be new rings and block honed, new valve stem seals with the valves lapped in, head pressuretested and skimmed.
bottom end bearing's checked but may be re-used.. crank polished if ok, possibly re ground to the first undersize
new seals and gaskets throughout, new headbolts too.
head and block thouroughly cleaned before re-assembly


for the rebuild its all the above + new bearing shells
valves re-faced
valve seats re-cut
new valve guides
new oil pump
block sprayed in heat resistant paint (black)
head sprayed silver

on an M20 it would get new timing belt kit with tensioner and any idler's and a new water pump too.....

[Chris-W]

What's the status of the engine - miles, years, service history etc?

[e30bmlover]

i belive the engine has done about 140,000, iv got this mental problem, i think when i get it in, the head gasket will go. plus i want to feel what a rebuilt (close to new or as close to leaving the factory) 325i engine feels like. while its out im going to replace all pipes on it(air, fuel) does anyone have any idea what a re-fresh or a total rebuild will cost me. im looking to spend £500 or maybe more. i have rang a few places up in norwich, but they only want to sell me rebuilt engines(for very high prices)

[Jhonno]

£500 will be a light refresh imo

[jon_pure_british]

if you want the feeling of a fully rebuilt engine then you've answered your own question matey

but i guess everything is about money these days

[Chris-W]

For £500 you'd get the head re-built, faced, checked, and a full set of new OE hoses etc., I reckon.

As Jhonno says, a light refresh, but likely to calm your head gasket concerns!

[e30bmlover]

darren is currently moveing house gareth. hes gonna give me a call when hes not so busy, he's also gotta service kris's 328i. i could wait for him i suppose but i want it done yesterday!

[Turbo-Brown]

Cost me about £1000 to rebuild mine including new rings, new oil pump, full set of seals and gaskets etc.

There is absolutely NO merrit to leaving the old big end and main bearings in there! If you've got it apart, replace them. They're probably less than £150 for all 13!

[stonesie]

hay only saying what they used to do where i worked, if the customer wanted to save that £150 and the bearings came up ok on the plastigauge then back in they went

[Turbo-Brown]

Sorry stonsie, wasn't having a go. Just think it's a lot of effort to take the bottom end of an engine apart only to not replace the main wearing components for what they cost.