Oil pick-up bracket

[buckley]

It appears as though my bracket to hold the oil pick-up in place has not been installed by my engine shop. I believe that it supposed to be on one of the main caps and it's definitely loose. Three questions:

1. Can I take off the main cap and install the bracket with no problems?

2. The windage tray won't sit securely on the block without coming in
contact with the main bolts. Is this tray even necessary? And if so, what's
my problem?
3. I keep hearing about this oil pump nut (seems to be left-hand thread)
coming loose. While I'm in here, should I take care of this problem?

Thanks for any help. This is my first rebuild on an M3 and I need as much help as possible.

--Noobie

These are pictures of the windage tray not fitting. You can see that the main bolts hit the windage tray...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v327/13uckley/IMAG0072.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v327/13uckley/IMAG0071.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v327/13uckley/IMAG0070.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v327/13uckley/IMAG0073.jpg

thanks

adrian

[Mad Dog 20/20]

After you remove the main bolts, you will need to install brand new ones, as they are TTY.

the windage tray is mandatory - sounds like you have been trying to install it upside down.

yes - secure the pump nut. locktite and safety wire it.

No offense, but between you and your "engine shop", this project does not sound like it is headed for great things. You may want to turn it over to a competent BMW tech . . .

EDIT: just saw that you added pics. Those are prolly the wrong main bolts. Actually, they look like studs.

[buckley]

Well, this "engine shop" is a well-known shop that has been working on M3s for a while. Apparently, they made a mistake. I'm a pretty competent guy when it comes to this but I am just learning about the M. I assumed a machine shop would know what they were doing. This will be corrected. Thank you for the help and I appreciate the comments.

[NeilM]

EDIT: just saw that you added pics. Those are prolly the wrong main bolts. Actually, they look like studs.

Well spotted MD! (Stock main bearing cap bolts are regular hex head.)

OP: You can order the proper main bearing cap bolts from any dealer or the usual online sources. P/N is 11-11-1-735-525 and they've been used on a variety of BMW engine for well over 30 years, so they're readily available. Since they're not a normal failure item there's no advantage in using a replacement unless this is some kind of special engine build.

The assembly torque spec is to lightly oil the bolts, first tighten 20Nm, then plus 50 degrees.

You'll need 14 of them. I paid well under $2 each at my local dealer, but some of the online sources are selling them for $8 each for some reason! All European has them at only $0.98, see: http://www.alleuro.com/bmwparts.php

Edit: Oh, and a big +1 on pre-emptively fixing the oil pump nut while you have easy access to it.

Neil

[buckley]

Thank you for your help. It appears as though the BMW shop that I purchased the main bolts from ordered the wrong part #. I did order ARP bolts while I was in there just to ensure life and to ensure to myself that I'm not "skimping" on anything. I want to do it right the first time. I've learned with previous builds that it costs more in the long run if you try to save a little bit of money now. The correct ARP bolts are on their way and should be here shortly. Thank you very much for your help Neil, I appreciate the feedback.

Well, it appears as though ARP doesn't make a hex bolt for this motor (only a stud/nut combination). So I either have to:

A) Revert back to OEM hex bolts (Dealer)

or

B) Fab the windage tray to make it work with the ARP stud/nut.

Adrian

[AspenM3]

What did you end up doing with the windage tray? I just ran into this issue with my arp's

[ScotcH]

What did you end up doing with the windage tray? I just ran into this issue with my arp's

You cut holes in it so the studs/nuts fit. Just drill it with a stepped bit and debur. You'll need to do all of them.

[AspenM3]

Thanks man! I'll get to it.

[Randy Forbes]

Meh, I'm getting ready to post pics of the S-52 bottom end I just put back together, then I see the date of the OP. Oh, what the hell, here's where the pump brackets go...

WHY you want to secure the oil pump nut! The term borrowed time comes to mind...

http://www.spcarsplus.com/gallery3/var/resizes/AMcD-Coupe-III/IMG_8194.jpg?m=1381204676

http://www.spcarsplus.com/gallery3/var/resizes/AMcD-Coupe-III/IMG_8199.jpg?m=1381204676

http://www.spcarsplus.com/gallery3/var/resizes/AMcD-Coupe-III/IMG_8423.jpg?m=1381204676

http://www.spcarsplus.com/gallery3/var/resizes/AMcD-Coupe-III/IMG_8424.jpg?m=1381204676

[colelemert]

You cut holes in it so the studs/nuts fit. Just drill it with a stepped bit and debur. You'll need to do all of them.

I was able to notch an area for the end ones (4 notches total) without issue..