I Think It finally Blew.......

[E 34]

After 230k miles on original internals, i think my motor finally died. :(
I was driving home, slowed down for a stop light then all of a sudden my motor sounded like a tractor, my DME went out before almost exactly the same symptoms But it only shut off one cylinder so hopefully my coil packs/ or DME went out, and died at the stop light. I tried starting it again, no luck Then after about 2 minuets of cranking it started but suddenly died. So i got it started, have to give it throttle or it dies(Which sounds like a major vacuum leak) I have no power, and the whole thing just sounds like some one dropped a bucked of nails in each cylinder. lucky this all happened within a half mile of my house, i drove home babying it, not even going up to 2k on the tac, pulled up to my house, shut it off and am going to diagnose it tomorrow, hopefully nothing internal is f***ed up. (HOPEFULLY)

[Psykick5]

I've got a feeling it's not dead. It's an M50. They don't just die at 230k. Something went wrong.

[dantheman67]

"Compression and leak down test.."

[htharkere34]

when in doubt, go for obvious stuff. your problems could be easily subscribed to a dying fuel pump.

[TGreene]

when in doubt, go for obvious stuff. your problems could be easily subscribed to a dying fuel pump.

I agree. Checking for fuel pressure at the rail should be on your list of things to do I believe.

[5mall5nail5]

No timing belt so the chain would have had to let go - which would be impressively rare.

Interested to see what you find.

[E 34]

"Compression and leak down test.."

Ok so I did every thing today, I checked every thing like DME, coils,fuel rail, fuel pump, compression test ECT and i found on Cylinder 1,5 there is 0 PSI.. I have a rebuild in the near future, ill be sure to post what I find when i get to the pistons, Im going to start this tuesday, so ill be sure to take lots of pictures!

[Hoolie]

Does the rockers break on the M50 engines?

[p1zz4guy]

Ok so I did every thing today, I checked every thing like DME, coils,fuel rail, fuel pump, compression test ECT and i found on Cylinder 1,5 there is 0 PSI.. I have a rebuild in the near future, ill be sure to post what I find when i get to the pistons, Im going to start this tuesday, so ill be sure to take lots of pictures!

Feelsbad.jpg

:(

[5mall5nail5]

Does the rockers break on the M50 engines?

No but the push rods do

[E 34]

Does the rockers break on the M50 engines?

No sir, just no compression on cylinder 1/5 So it could be rings, or more dramatic but unlikely a sweet hole in each piston, if theres a hole in each piston im going to go buy lotto tickets soon.....

[5mall5nail5]

No sir, just no compression on cylinder 1/5 So it could be rings, or more dramatic but unlikely a sweet hole in each piston, if theres a hole in each piston im going to go buy lotto tickets soon.....

$20 on headgasket

[E 34]

$20 on headgasket

Head Gasket was replaced about 15k ago, if that went i would be really surprised, i check oil for coolant there was non, but i just checked dip stick so when I take the head off ill be able to check fully.

[5mall5nail5]

Head Gasket was replaced about 15k ago, if that went i would be really surprised, i check oil for coolant there was non, but i just checked dip stick so when I take the head off ill be able to check fully.

Could be failure due to bad install, no idea.

Losing compression on two pistons is rare. Pull it apart I want to know.

[E 34]

Could be failure due to bad install, no idea.

Losing compression on two pistons is rare. Pull it apart I want to know.

Yea thats what i was thinking, but ill be sure to post a crap load of pics to show the damage, im really curious my self.

[84318i]

No but the push rods do

ke ke ke

[marct335i]

Troy sorry to hear this man! My m50 is at 180k and runs like a top but consumes some serious oil on highway speed longer distant trips. For example... It ate about two quarts in 200 miles on my trip back to the valley this weekend. It does so regularly on long trips. Doesn't consume any coolant so I'm guessing a rebuild with new rings, refreshed top end etc is in my near future.

[E 34]

Troy sorry to hear this man! My m50 is at 180k and runs like a top but consumes some serious oil on highway speed longer distant trips. For example... It ate about two quarts in 200 miles on my trip back to the valley this weekend. It does so regularly on long trips. Doesn't consume any coolant so I'm guessing a rebuild with new rings, refreshed top end etc is in my near future.

Thanks man, but I look at it as a good thing, ive wanted to rebuild my motor for a while now, but had no reason to, but with this problem now i have a reason to back my need to rebuild. :D

[marct335i]

Thanks man, but I look at it as a good thing, ive wanted to rebuild my motor for a while now, but had no reason to, but with this problem now i have a reason to back my need to rebuild. :D

Haha! True true! Well I've been wanting to do a rebuild with the m54 internal stoker swap so know I have a reason too! 3.0 liters will be a nice bonus!

[E 34]

Haha! True true! Well I've been wanting to do a rebuild with the m54 internal stoker swap so know I have a reason too! 3.0 liters will be a nice bonus!

I would love to do that, 3.0 would be a great little bonus, im just really curious to see what the hell happened in there.

[5mall5nail5]

I would love to do that, 3.0 would be a great little bonus, im just really curious to see what the hell happened in there.

If you get creative, I have an M52 crank chilling on a shelf.

Actually, I have a lot of M50 bits. If you need anything holler at meh.

[E 34]

If you get creative, I have an M52 crank chilling on a shelf.

Actually, I have a lot of M50 bits. If you need anything holler at meh.

Ok, youll be first on my list if i need any bits, If you have any vanos stuff i might be interested :D

[5mall5nail5]

Ok, youll be first on my list if i need any bits, If you have any vanos stuff i might be interested :D

I have an entire junk head that may be up for grabs. I will look at my "stock" (its sad that I have stock...) let me know what you're looking for if/when the time comes.

[E 34]

I have an entire junk head that may be up for grabs. I will look at my "stock" (its sad that I have stock...) let me know what you're looking for if/when the time comes.

haha your stock, i wish i had one. Yea Fursure man ill let you know what goodies i need.

[dantheman67]

Wow, 0 compression on 1 and 5?? I too am interested to find out what happened.

$5 says HG is fine, it'll be bent or broken valves on 1 and 5

[5mall5nail5]

Wow, 0 compression on 1 and 5?? I too am interested to find out what happened.

$5 says HG is fine, it'll be bent or broken valves on 1 and 5

Only flaw in that theory is that if the valves broke he wouldn't have been driving home at all. And, if the springs were to break then it would have had to happen on BOTH valves per cylinder. I mean I guess anything is possible but it seems more likely that the HG decided to let go.

[paperplane94]

Timing chains break? How?

[5mall5nail5]

Timing chains break? How?

They can but I don't think that's the case here. Lack of lubrication if the oiling dowels fail. Tensioner fails. VANOS fails. Etc.

[E 34]

Wow, 0 compression on 1 and 5?? I too am interested to find out what happened.

$5 says HG is fine, it'll be bent or broken valves on 1 and 5

Yes sir, 0 compression on both i thought i did the compression test wrong, not threaded in all the way or something, did cylinders 1 and 5 about 6 or 7 times just to make sure it wasent user error. and every time 0

[p1zz4guy]

Only flaw in that theory is that if the valves broke he wouldn't have been driving home at all. And, if the springs were to break then it would have had to happen on BOTH valves per cylinder. I mean I guess anything is possible but it seems more likely that the HG decided to let go.

I mis shifted on the hi-way about to years ago had zero compression in two cylinders due to bent vavles and managed to drive about 2 miles to get home. Its possible.

I'm betting the timing tensionor slacked just enough to cause interference here.

[5mall5nail5]

I mis shifted on the hi-way about to years ago had zero compression in two cylinders due to bent vavles and managed to drive about 2 miles to get home. Its possible.

I'm betting the timing tensionor slacked just enough to cause interference here.

Yeah but bent valves != dropped valves. Dropped valved = engine won't turn or if it does bits REALLY don't have a good time.

I think he'd tell us if he money shifted. Until OP pulls the valve cover or head or gets a borescope, we're all speculating.

FWIW I just had a failed HG on my LR which was originally diagnosed as failed piston rings or hole in piston. Cylinder wouldn't hold pressure and air was coming out of the pushrod holes in the valve cover and oil cap. Turned out the HG blew just right to dump compression into the crank case. Not possible on the M50 really, but just a for-instance.

[dantheman67]

Only flaw in that theory is that if the valves broke he wouldn't have been driving home at all. And, if the springs were to break then it would have had to happen on BOTH valves per cylinder. I mean I guess anything is possible but it seems more likely that the HG decided to let go.

The valve[s] will be in pieces in the cylinder bore or simply stuck and and hitting the piston every time it hits TDC, causing the "tractor" sound.

That is my prediction

[5mall5nail5]

The valve[s] will be in pieces in the cylinder bore or simply stuck and and hitting the piston every time it hits TDC, causing the "tractor" sound.

That is my prediction

I dunno - we'll see. Valve smashing in the head and pistons is a lot worse than a "tractor sound".

[E 34]

Yeah but bent valves != dropped valves. Dropped valved = engine won't turn or if it does bits REALLY don't have a good time.

I think he'd tell us if he money shifted. Until OP pulls the valve cover or head or gets a borescope, we're all speculating.

FWIW I just had a failed HG on my LR which was originally diagnosed as failed piston rings or hole in piston. Cylinder wouldn't hold pressure and air was coming out of the pushrod holes in the valve cover and oil cap. Turned out the HG blew just right to dump compression into the crank case. Not possible on the M50 really, but just a for-instance.

No misshift here, was cruising on the freeway, about 85-90 and it just happend, scared the crap out of me.

[p1zz4guy]

Yeah but bent valves != dropped valves. Dropped valved = engine won't turn or if it does bits REALLY don't have a good time.

I think he'd tell us if he money shifted. Until OP pulls the valve cover or head or gets a borescope, we're all speculating.

FWIW I just had a failed HG on my LR which was originally diagnosed as failed piston rings or hole in piston. Cylinder wouldn't hold pressure and air was coming out of the pushrod holes in the valve cover and oil cap. Turned out the HG blew just right to dump compression into the crank case. Not possible on the M50 really, but just a for-instance.

I don't think he mis shifted.

2 dead cylinders on opposite ends of the motor just sounds odd, unless he over heated and warped the head. I have seen much weirder things happen though.

But like you said its all speculation right now. (Speculating is funner then watching the Chief v. Steelers game on t.v. right now :()

[E 34]

The valve[s] will be in pieces in the cylinder bore or simply stuck and and hitting the piston every time it hits TDC, causing the "tractor" sound.

That is my prediction

ive gotten the "tractor" sound before because DME wasent sending a signal to the Injector so i was running on 5 cylinders, but im not ruling out bent valves, or destroyed valves, just really hope its something simple like HG or rings.


I don't think he mis shifted.

2 dead cylinders on opposite ends of the motor just sounds odd, unless he over heated and warped the head. (I have seen much weirded thing happen though)

But like you said its all speculation right now.

Never have had over heating problems, the temp gauge was at the edge of the blue bar, it was about 49 out side,and i was going at a decent speed(85-90) when this all happened.

[98taco3]

I have seen valves bend without breaking before, possible he made it home like that. Did you squirt some oil in the cylinder to confirm its the valves? Tells you real quick if you have a ring issue.

[5mall5nail5]

I have seen valves bend without breaking before, possible he made it home like that. Did you squirt some oil in the cylinder to confirm its the valves? Tells you real quick if you have a ring issue.

On DOHC BMWs the valves don't just bend - a bent valve is because of a failed spring or timing issue. Let's stop hypothesizing and wait to see what he has.

[E 34]

On DOHC BMWs the valves don't just bend - a bent valve is because of a failed spring or timing issue. Let's stop hypothesizing and wait to see what he has.

I agree! :D

[E 34]

Ok so after about 5 hours of wrenching I got the head completely removed and was shocked to see what I found......:( Not only was the HG completely destroyed but there was bent valves in almost every cylinder.... I am glad to see that at least one cylinder had almost perfectly sealed valves, and the cause of the valves bending is a huge mystery, i was on the freeway cruising and bam the car sounded like S**T.... I will put some pictures up of my recent findings, i will post better pics tomorrow, but these are off my iphone so bare with me...

[E 34]

Here are the pictures i have, ones of the number 1 cylinder, and you can clearly see where the valve smashed into the piston, ones of the valves for the number one cylinder, the others are cylinder 4/5 and the valves for cylinder 5 which both are bent out........

[NikosX]

Oh boy. Sorry to see man. Pick up a second hand motor in good shape and be back on your way in no time.

Time for the s50 swap!

[HE53]

You can just bend the valves by money shifting it too...

[5mall5nail5]

Looks like your HG failed, you hydrolocked, and bent the valves.

Check your rods if you are going to keep the bottom end.

[E 34]

Yea, I'm continuing to take it apart today, but dam my I was surprised when I found all that stuff....

[marct335i]

Man troy what a bummer dude. Let me know if you need any help. Like I said I feel your pain. If your gonna replace the pistons consider the 3.0 stroker option. I'll post a link to a DIY a member did.

[dantheman67]

Damn dude, that thing is DONE! Picture number 3, lol

[Hoolie]

How much would a engine set you back if you got one from a salvage yard?

[5mall5nail5]

< $400

[Hoolie]

Put in a used eninge while the stroker is being built then?

[p1zz4guy]

Put in a used eninge while the stroker is being built then?

That's what I'd do.

[E 34]

Damn dude, that thing is DONE! Picture number 3, lol


I know, to be honest i laughed when i saw that valve.


Man troy what a bummer dude. Let me know if you need any help. Like I said I feel your pain. If your gonna replace the pistons consider the 3.0 stroker option. I'll post a link to a DIY a member did.

If you could get that link that would be cool, im pretty sure ill end up doing the 3.0 Stroker.


How much would a engine set you back if you got one from a salvage yard?

Around here at the pick and pull, its about 270(not including tax) for the motor and accessories like ac/powersteering ECT.


Oh boy. Sorry to see man. Pick up a second hand motor in good shape and be back on your way in no time.

Time for the s50 swap!


I wish i could do the s50 swap, but dont have the cash for that, ill prolly just run a 3.0 Stroker, and just be happy with a motor that has 0 miles on it. :D

[5mall5nail5]

What do you mean 3.0 bore?

[E 34]

What do you mean 3.0 bore?
I ment stroker sorry, i changed it haha

[camaroguy]

Ouch, thats painful to see...

I remember not being able to get the valve adjustment quite right once in the 69 Z28 after swapping valve springs. Turned out that the wrist pin on the #2 piston had ripped the bottom half of the piston off and had been just riding on the cylinder wall pounding what was left of the piston. I almost cried had like 2500 miles on the engine...Dad sucked two valves through a piston once when he had the wrong heads on the engine by mistake...

I would just put a sub 100k M50 back in it and call it good :)

[E 34]

Ouch, thats painful to see...

I remember not being able to get the valve adjustment quite right once in the 69 Z28 after swapping valve springs. Turned out that the wrist pin on the #2 piston had ripped the bottom half of the piston off and had been just riding on the cylinder wall pounding what was left of the piston. I almost cried had like 2500 miles on the engine...Dad sucked two valves through a piston once when he had the wrong heads on the engine by mistake...

I would just put a sub 100k M50 back in it and call it good :)

Well I really want to rebuild it, so i can start with 0 miles and keep my E34 for ever(Or untill i get a streetbike), instead of running a 100k m50 and having this problem later on down the road, or something similar to it.

[Psykick5]

:eek:

Holy shit that engine is MESSED UP.

Great time for 3.0 :)

[marct335i]

http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1652147

I think he did this to an e34 as well. Doesn't really matter. He used an m50 here. Since your rebuilding it, you may consider new rings, bearing etc. I figure might as well since you are there.

[E 34]

http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1652147

I think he did this to an e34 as well. Doesn't really matter. He used an m50 here. Since your rebuilding it, you may consider new rings, bearing etc. I figure might as well since you are there.

Yea I planned on replacing dam near every thing, Bearings, rings, seals,gaskets ECT.

i picked up an m54 tonight, with just short of 100k, im going to start removing all the bits i need, and prepare for the 3.0 stroker!!!! :D


http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1652147

I think he did this to an e34 as well. Doesn't really matter. He used an m50 here. Since your rebuilding it, you may consider new rings, bearing etc. I figure might as well since you are there.

Hmm i hope it will pass smog and stuff, with the stroker.....

[marct335i]

Yea I planned on replacing dam near every thing, Bearings, rings, seals,gaskets ECT.

i picked up an m54 tonight, with just short of 100k, im going to start removing all the bits i need, and prepare for the 3.0 stroker!!!! :D

Hmm i hope it will pass smog and stuff, with the stroker.....

Nice! Smog is a bit of a concern for me as well, but assuming you don't get to crazy with other mods, a healthy stroked m50 should pass smog with a healthy cat. There might be a need for a proper tune to pass smog, but I know there are a few people who have m52 2.8 short blocks with their m50 head, here in California and they don't seem to have smog issues. What's nice is there won't be any visual issues with the smog test because all the mods are internal!

[5mall5nail5]

Yea I planned on replacing dam near every thing, Bearings, rings, seals,gaskets ECT.

i picked up an m54 tonight, with just short of 100k, im going to start removing all the bits i need, and prepare for the 3.0 stroker!!!! :D



Hmm i hope it will pass smog and stuff, with the stroker.....

No worries - it'll pass emissions. The most important and yet annoying part of that swap is that both bores are 84mm. That means if your M50 has a ledge at the top of the bore or if the bores are a little tapered, you won't be able to take them out much because you need to put an 84mm back in it.

[mpaganr34]

Good to see I'm not the only one in the process of doing the stroker :)

[marct335i]

No worries - it'll pass emissions. The most important and yet annoying part of that swap is that both bores are 84mm. That means if your M50 has a ledge at the top of the bore or if the bores are a little tapered, you won't be able to take them out much because you need to put an 84mm back in it.

Jon, you had mentioned there being some possible issues with regrinding the intake cam to s50 spec of 252. I've been wanting to swap a 240 intake cam to exhaust and use a regrind for intake on my NV 3.0 stroker project. Would you enlighten me on this subject? I currently have the conforti chip in my 402 dme. Stock MAF. Would I need a custom tune to get it to run properly? How much performance gain would the bump up to a 252 give me? I see all kinds of grinds (some really gnarly) for the nonvanos on the VAC website. Any help would be appreciated.

[Tre0Tre34]

Good to see I'm not the only one in the process of doing the stroker :)

I typically use a different type of website when doing the stroker, but to each his own...

OP: damn, that is one unhappy looking motor. I'm sure you will be quite happy when the 3.0 is up and running though.

[5mall5nail5]

Jon, you had mentioned there being some possible issues with regrinding the intake cam to s50 spec of 252. I've been wanting to swap a 240 intake cam to exhaust and use a regrind for intake on my NV 3.0 stroker project. Would you enlighten me on this subject? I currently have the conforti chip in my 402 dme. Stock MAF. Would I need a custom tune to get it to run properly? How much performance gain would the bump up to a 252 give me? I see all kinds of grinds (some really gnarly) for the nonvanos on the VAC website. Any help would be appreciated.

You have to remember that "S50 spec" cams are going to have a relatively mild lift (in the grand scheme of things) and are setup for variable position. Because the VANOS motors adjust the LSA (lobe separation angle) they can get away with more or less depending on where you go with the timing. They can run a much milder cam with nice gains because once VANOS is on the LSA shifts and the engine breathes better than the cam as it sits in the holder. So, honestly, a 252 on a NV is a waste of time. The 240 is honestly pretty darned good. If you must upgrade you would want to go much more "gnarly" to reap any benefits. But you have to realize that with an NA engine the ONLY thing more duration does is shift your power band to the right on a dyno plot. Once you have more duration you either need to get aggressive with ramp rates (the rate at which the valve opens and closes) or deal with less lift because eventually the piston is coming up and you need to make sure the valves are out of the way.

That said, yes, to truly make use of a very aggressive cam you SHOULD get a tune. I don't think there are many custom tunes on the 402. The engine won't fall apart because the MAF sensor is what determines the zones to run in, and if the cams do flow more air, the MAF will show that and it will add the fueling and put the timing where it should be - though that assumes that the tuner optimized the tune in those areas of the map.

I think I would run the cat cam 275/268 setup if I HAD to... but truth be known, I'd rock the stock cams. They're just that good. You might pick up a couple hp but that's only because you're shifting the torque curve higher in the RPM (and HP is totally dependent on torque production at RPM...).

IMHO - leave it.

[marct335i]

You have to remember that "S50 spec" cams are going to have a relatively mild lift (in the grand scheme of things) and are setup for variable position. Because the VANOS motors adjust the LSA (lobe separation angle) they can get away with more or less depending on where you go with the timing. They can run a much milder cam with nice gains because once VANOS is on the LSA shifts and the engine breathes better than the cam as it sits in the holder. So, honestly, a 252 on a NV is a waste of time. The 240 is honestly pretty darned good. If you must upgrade you would want to go much more "gnarly" to reap any benefits. But you have to realize that with an NA engine the ONLY thing more duration does is shift your power band to the right on a dyno plot. Once you have more duration you either need to get aggressive with ramp rates (the rate at which the valve opens and closes) or deal with less lift because eventually the piston is coming up and you need to make sure the valves are out of the way.

That said, yes, to truly make use of a very aggressive cam you SHOULD get a tune. I don't think there are many custom tunes on the 402. The engine won't fall apart because the MAF sensor is what determines the zones to run in, and if the cams do flow more air, the MAF will show that and it will add the fueling and put the timing where it should be - though that assumes that the tuner optimized the tune in those areas of the map.

I think I would run the cat cam 275/268 setup if I HAD to... but truth be known, I'd rock the stock cams. They're just that good. You might pick up a couple hp but that's only because you're shifting the torque curve higher in the RPM (and HP is totally dependent on torque production at RPM...).

IMHO - leave it.

Cool thanks for the info man. Is putting an intake cam on the exhaust side still a good idea though? I've read that this is a nice reasonable upgrade.

[E 34]

The same guy that did the DIY 3.0 stroker thread said you can run m54 intake cam, and leave your m50 exhaust one instead of s50 cams, and also said theres no need to change DME, or chip it. I find this hard to belive, mainly about the non tune part, can some show any facts about this. The guy also said m50 413 DME is a more "aggressive" tune than the m3s DME........


Nice! Smog is a bit of a concern for me as well, but assuming you don't get to crazy with other mods, a healthy stroked m50 should pass smog with a healthy cat. There might be a need for a proper tune to pass smog, but I know there are a few people who have m52 2.8 short blocks with their m50 head, here in California and they don't seem to have smog issues. What's nice is there won't be any visual issues with the smog test because all the mods are internal!

Ohh i know the visual is the great part, but i was just worried about the stupid sniffer test...... but a rebuilt motor, with Decent cats, i dont see why not?

[5mall5nail5]

Cool thanks for the info man. Is putting an intake cam on the exhaust side still a good idea though? I've read that this is a nice reasonable upgrade.

I guess - the only downside (which is a big one to me) is that the cam won't line up with the cam align fixture which means you will have to degree the cams in which for a newbie is quite difficult to get 100% right.


The same guy that did the DIY 3.0 stroker thread said you can run m54 intake cam, and leave your m50 exhaust one instead of s50 cams, and also said theres no need to change DME, or chip it. I find this hard to belive, mainly about the non tune part, can some show any facts about this. The guy also said m50 413 DME is a more "aggressive" tune than the m3s DME........



Ohh i know the visual is the great part, but i was just worried about the stupid sniffer test...... but a rebuilt motor, with Decent cats, i dont see why not?

I don't know the M54 cam specs but again, you're talking about grinding up a cam and such and the cam is designed for a DVANOS setup, etc. IMHO, KISS.

[marct335i]

I guess - the only downside (which is a big one to me) is that the cam won't line up with the cam align fixture which means you will have to degree the cams in which for a newbie is quite difficult to get 100% right.

I don't know the M54 cam specs but again, you're talking about grinding up a cam and such and the cam is designed for a DVANOS setup, etc. IMHO, KISS.

I won't lie, I will be having a very reputable machine shop build this motor. One I don't have the expertise, two I don't have the time, and three I need to preserve as much of my friend demike535i's time as possible for pulling the motor and putting it back in. He and I are always in trouble with the wives as it is for how much time we spend working on our cars together, I think a rebuild would have us sleeping in our cars.(at least they are comfy cars though!)

Nice thing about having the machinist we know build it, is he warranties his work. And it's just across the way from the shop we use on the weekends and at night :)

[E 34]

I won't lie, I will be having a very reputable machine shop build this motor. One I don't have the expertise, two I don't have the time, and three I need to preserve as much of my friend demike535i's time as possible for pulling the motor and putting it back in. He and I are always in trouble with the wives as it is for how much time we spend working on our cars together, I think a rebuild would have us sleeping in our cars.(at least they are comfy cars though!)

Nice thing about having the machinist we know build it, is he warranties his work. And it's just across the way from the shop we use on the weekends and at night :)

Im doing it all by myself like a big boy :D

I need to find just one more piston, out of the 6 one had a hole :( so i need just one more m54 piston and im set!!!! stroker soon to be on the way!

[marct335i]

Im doing it all by myself like a big boy :D


Nice haha. Ya Id like to do it myself too, but at my hourly rate of pay times the amount of time I'd have to put into the rebuilding of it, it costs less to have someone who is an expert do it. Four or so years ago, I'd have no choice but to figure it out myself. So I'll just pay for it with my "big kid" job ;)

It does feel kinda sad though, because my car has never been to a shop since I've owned it (except for tires).

Good luck man, I look forward to your build!

[E 34]

So I'll just pay for it with my "big kid" job ;)

Good luck man, I look forward to your build!

I dont have a "big kid" job yet :( being 17 sure does suck....

[marct335i]

I dont have a "big kid" job yet :( being 17 sure does suck....

I didn't realize you were that young. Ya when I was 17 I didn't have a lot of funds either. It'll come in due time my friend. Years and years of college and studying for the CPA exam etc have got me where I am.

[E 34]

I didn't realize you were that young. Ya when I was 17 I didn't have a lot of funds either. It'll come in due time my friend. Years and years of college and studying for the CPA exam etc have got me where I am.

Yea, alot of people think im like 20... definantly 17, and im joining the airforce here soon, so ill have some funds when i get back to either make the e34 better or just drop cash on a E39 M5, but for now my funds arent the greatest...:(
I cant wait to get the motor running, should be pretty easy this being my 4 rebuild....

[5mall5nail5]

Nice haha. Ya Id like to do it myself too, but at my hourly rate of pay times the amount of time I'd have to put into the rebuilding of it, it costs less to have someone who is an expert do it. Four or so years ago, I'd have no choice but to figure it out myself. So I'll just pay for it with my "big kid" job ;)

It does feel kinda sad though, because my car has never been to a shop since I've owned it (except for tires).

Good luck man, I look forward to your build!

You'd be surprised how expensive it is to do it yourself. You'll spend $600 - $1000 just in tools if you want it "right". I can get a motor machined, assembled, and blue printed for about 1/2 of that.

[marct335i]

You'd be surprised how expensive it is to do it yourself. You'll spend $600 - $1000 just in tools if you want it "right". I can get a motor machined, assembled, and blue printed for about 1/2 of that.

Well good! Makes me feel better! Eric the machinist is pretty damn sharp when it comes to building motors. And like I've said, he warranties the motor after building it which is a plus. Plus a shop will port, polish, blueprint etc all in one place, where as even if I were to assembly it myself I'd still need a machinist do to somethings for me. Im hopeful that internals aside, having my motor built will be in the range you are talking about. That's be great. Thanks again for the input you've provided.

[Gravik]

I dont have a "big kid" job yet :( being 17 sure does suck....
I know that feeling. Around here employees don't seem to like hiring college students :( I swear 20 is the worst age ever...

[E 34]

I know that feeling. Around here employees don't seem to like hiring college students :( I swear 20 is the worst age ever...

Yea try being technically not and adult yet.. every one around here just looks past me for the older college students, but i understand why..... Then again I still have a job so im must be doing something right :D

[dantheman67]

Yea try being technically not and adult yet.. every one around here just looks past me for the older college students, but i understand why..... Then again I still have a job so im must be doing something right :D

True dude, every year in life is valuable and in this economy every job is valuable too... sad but true

[marct335i]

Hey man, I've been added to the down e34 club :( broke down on 37 tonight. Seey thread.

[E 34]

Hey man, I've been added to the down e34 club :( broke down on 37 tonight. Seey thread.

I just read it about the clutch going out! Dam its like bad luck month with all the E34s.

[E 34]

Ive been doing research into cam options, i want the m3 cams but cant afford them, but i did find this little write up(links at the bottom), and for the guys who are doing the 3.0 stroker this might be an option for you. I am going this route and will update as i go along, so far ive gotten the m50 completely taken apart, besides removing the crankshaft which is turing out to be a pain in the A** because of the main nut.... but anyways im putting my parts list together, replacing bearings and seals, gaskets ECT. So far so good! Ill keep posting as things come into play!

The cam write up!
http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1734525

[mbonanni]

Ive been doing research into cam options, i want the m3 cams but cant afford them, but i did find this little write up(links at the bottom), and for the guys who are doing the 3.0 stroker this might be an option for you. I am going this route and will update as i go along, so far ive gotten the m50 completely taken apart, besides removing the crankshaft which is turing out to be a pain in the A** because of the main nut.... but anyways im putting my parts list together, replacing bearings and seals, gaskets ECT. So far so good! Ill keep posting as things come into play!

The cam write up!
http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1734525

That main nut.... that was fun. My pop said his impact wrench should have taken it off because he removes diesel head bolts with that thing that are over 300 ft/lbs torque. What psi is your compressor?

P.S. You owe me a door handle ;)

[E 34]

That main nut.... that was fun. My pop said his impact wrench should have taken it off because he removes diesel head bolts with that thing that are over 300 ft/lbs torque. What psi is your compressor?

P.S. You owe me a door handle ;)

its a 125psi, pretty weak, im going to take try my friends 300Psi soon, and the nut is at like 340ft/lbs? haha and yes i owe you a door handle, E30 doorhandles and being really flimsy....

[mbonanni]

Haha, yea he said his impact gun is 150 psi. haha

And its not flimsy, the door was just locked and you kept pulling on it. ;)

[E 34]

Haha, yea he said his impact gun is 150 psi. haha

And its not flimsy, the door was just locked and you kept pulling on it. ;)

i figured, i just need to use a stronger compressor.
Maybe its beacuse ive been hitting the gym lately? :redspot

[mbonanni]

Oh yeah? Is that so?

Dan also :buttrock

[E 34]

Oh yeah? Is that so?

Dan also :buttrock

Well do you guys have a compressor that runs high PSI? If you help me get that S*** off ill help trace that coolant leak.

[mbonanni]

Haha, so you wont help me anyways?? ):

Ill check real quick. gimme a sec.

youre outa luck, only 1/3 psi of yours. lol

[E 34]

Haha, so you wont help me anyways?? ):

Ill check real quick. gimme a sec.

youre outa luck, only 1/3 psi of yours. lol

No ill still help, but dam o well ill find some one.

[mbonanni]

Dude, why not take it to a shop?

also, did you find a sure answer it is normal threaded?

[E 34]

Dude, why not take it to a shop?

also, did you find a sure answer it is normal threaded?

I dont want to pay some one to do it, when i can do it just need better tools, and yes i figured it out

[mbonanni]

OKay, well, maybe big vinnie can do it (my dad)

[5mall5nail5]

Get the crank holder from Pelican or ebay. The crank hub holder is like... all the difference. Then you just take it off with a breaker bar.

[E 34]

Get the crank holder from Pelican or ebay. The crank hub holder is like... all the difference. Then you just take it off with a breaker bar.

Yea, i made one with a 1/4 inch steal bar, I drilled holes in it today, just need to try it out.

[5mall5nail5]

THe pelican one is closer to 1/2 - 5/8"

[E 34]

THe pelican one is closer to 1/2 - 5/8"
Ohh dam, well i have a bunch of metal laying around,and ill see if i can find one closer to that, if not ill buy it but i really dont want to have to buy it if i dont need to.

[5mall5nail5]

If you want (and if I can find mine) I could rent you it when the time comes

[E 34]

If you want (and if I can find mine) I could rent you it when the time comes

If your willing to do that, just let me know if you found it and how much you want to rent it for.