My current project, Pics

What should we have read?


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Well I go around to pulling apart the motor some more today. I will try and post pics up tomorrow though. Sorry, it would appear that the PO must have known about the blown HG and just kept driving it for who knows how long. When I pulled out the head bolts on at least 4 of them, there was pudding like oil just slathered all over the bolts. I havent yet pulled the head off but will do so tomorrow and show you guys.


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Well i got the head off today, the head gasket was completely blown out on three cylinders. Upon inpection of the valvetrain and the head, it seems as thought I will be reusing the camshaft and rocker arms. I will be purchasing all new valves/valve guides/valve stem seals/valve springs/etc.. I took the head to the machine shop today to make sure that it can be resurfaced(who knows how long the PO was driving around like this) and he said it will be fine. Resurface and cleaning is only $50 so cant go wrong there. Here are some pics of the head.

Notice the black rings around the combustion chambers showing where the headgasket gave way.



Pistons appear to be in good condition, those will stay. But when i pull the block out i will inspect everything anyway.

And just a pic of the dirty block




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I cant seem to get the rocker shafts out of the head in order to get to the valve springs. Anyone have some insight? It appears that they just slide out of the head, but not without putting up a fight. I will be getting a bently manual soon.


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if i remember correctly those are pressed in. cause the only way to replace them is to drill and tap and put a threaded one in

Originally Posted by downhiller

if i remember correctly those are pressed in. cause the only way to replace them is to drill and tap and put a threaded one in

So that means that I cant buy an OEM piece, it would have to be an aftermarket piece because the OEM pieces arent threaded. Am I understanding that correctly?

Well, It just doesnt make sense that BMW would still have the OEM rocker arm axle even though you say a new arm axle must be threaded into the head. Because I want to get to the valves, but currently cant because of the dumb rocker arm axles. Does anyone else have any experience with the M10 valve train?

i would not put this much effort into an M10 engine, because after all this work you will still have Slow, unreliable, Slow car..... SLOW
buy an M50... or even an m20 and call it a day, your car will thank you

You wouldnt put the effort, but I will. If you would have read what i have previously stated as to why i am putting this much effort into rebuilding the motor is because i am trying to get the car back to its original status. The PO didnt take care of this car at all. So while i have the motor apart to change the head gasket. I might as well take it a small step forward and just freshen the motor up completely. I just want a fully functioning engine/car again. This car will remain mostly stock (including the engine) because its really not worth buying aftermarket upgrades to TRY and increase this already anemic motors capability.

Also i stated that i will be picking up another e30 here shortly. That will be my track whore.


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Everycar someone owns doesnt have to be fast. Take in point your jeep. Not hating just saying whats true. His car deserves a nice "going over" until i am satisfied with the results.


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Originally Posted by First time

Everycar someone owns doesnt have to be fast. Take in point your jeep. Not hating just saying whats true. His car deserves a nice "going over" until i am satisfied with the results.


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I have a 88 truck with like 50whp

Originally Posted by anstead610

I have a 88 truck with like 50whp

Exactly my point LOL!


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Well, I ordered a bently manual today which should have been ordered before I started this rebuild. But anyway, Not much really happened today. Just stripped down the head (except for the valves which I need to get a valve spring compressor)





The stupid rocker arm axles were giving me a little trouble since they are pressed in, but nothing that my "custom" tool (along with a hammer) couldn't solve.

The "tool": A 1/2" breaker bar


And viola! all out.



And in very good condition considering the 250K miles on them



The head is very clean!


And all this will get thrown away and replaced.



Stay tuned! thanks.

So much M10 bashing. There are leagues of 02's out there shaking their heads at you folks. Show some respect ...

Originally Posted by leecrosson

So much M10 bashing. There are leagues of 02's out there shaking their heads at you folks. Show some respect ...

M10 in a 2002 is good. M20 in a 2002 is better. M10 in a E30 is okay. If the M10 was deserving it would have continued on

I'm happy I have an M20 in my 3 series, I have no doubt it's a lot more fun, but I wouldn't want one in my 02. There is more to my love of these cars than power - if there wasn't I could go to just about any car dealership out there and find a new Honda with more power than either of my BMW's. It would still feel like a piece of plastic junk. On the other hand, I could go out and find a 1600 with a fraction of the pep and love it to pieces (I'm sure I'm not alone). I respect FirstTimers purist approach. Love what you got. Most of us are here because we like driving a car that still gives a solid connection to the engineering - both while driving it and working on it. Two extra cylinders doesn't change anything in that regard ... I'll take my 02 at 60 in 3rd gear over my 325 any day of the week ....

... And I have no choice but to say that by the logic of 'If the M10 was deserving, it would have continued on' one could say 'If the E30 was deserving, it would have continued on'. I'm sure there are plenty of folks out here who would have something to say about that.
(I'm no trying to be combative - I just love a good discussion )

My m20 had has a broken head bolt for five years solid runner

send from space command

my disrespect for the m10 comes from personal expierence. its a crapshoot to work on and nothing is less satisfying then flooring it and barely moving. if i put work into a car or buy a car in general .. id like its motor to be able to compete with a 4 year old pushing on a razor scooter.

ouch

Originally Posted by leecrosson

I'm happy I have an M20 in my 3 series, I have no doubt it's a lot more fun, but I wouldn't want one in my 02. There is more to my love of these cars than power - if there wasn't I could go to just about any car dealership out there and find a new Honda with more power than either of my BMW's. It would still feel like a piece of plastic junk. On the other hand, I could go out and find a 1600 with a fraction of the pep and love it to pieces (I'm sure I'm not alone). I respect FirstTimers purist approach. Love what you got. Most of us are here because we like driving a car that still gives a solid connection to the engineering - both while driving it and working on it. Two extra cylinders doesn't change anything in that regard ... I'll take my 02 at 60 in 3rd gear over my 325 any day of the week ....

Like I wrote earlier, an M10 in a 2002 is good.

Thanks for all the "chatter" lol


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Originally Posted by markseven

M10 in a 2002 is good. M20 in a 2002 is better. M10 in a E30 is okay. If the M10 was deserving it would have continued on

While true the M10 has since been stopped. It was in service for a long time. Longer than the M20. There just comes time when a motors job is done. Please dont think im a hardcore M10 fan (im very much not) but just stating some words.


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your words are dumb... if i wanted your car to be fast i would have said drop an M60 or S52 in it... I just thought you would appreciate a decent amount of power to go with the decent handling of the car...

MY JEEP (which you tried to make fun of) Is not for going fast, it is for dealing with SNOW, Rivers, and other obstacles i encounter on a daily basis... my displacement is 4 liters and i can drive over your car with my 33" tires and 9 inches of lift

and i would put every penny i own on it having a higher top speed than your piddly M10

STOP USING WORDS and do your build... i appreciate that you are taking the time to restore your car i was just stating that I would not put that amount of work into a terrible drivetrain

Originally Posted by noexceptions325

your words are dumb... if i wanted your car to be fast i would have said drop an M60 or S52 in it... I just thought you would appreciate a decent amount of power to go with the decent handling of the car...

MY JEEP (which you tried to make fun of) Is not for going fast, it is for dealing with SNOW, Rivers, and other obstacles i encounter on a daily basis... my displacement is 4 liters and i can drive over your car with my 33" tires and 9 inches of lift

and i would put every penny i own on it having a higher top speed than your piddly M10

STOP USING WORDS and do your build... i appreciate that you are taking the time to restore your car i was just stating that I would not put that amount of work into a terrible drivetrain

cry somewhere else. I will build my car on my terms when i choose.

If I wanted MY car to be fast (which obviously I dont) the M10 would get thrown away, you must have difficulty reading about why I am using my time how I choose on this car.