What did you do to your e21 today?

[epmedia]

Fine fine fine.. .. I'll do it

Problem in my mind is the assembly lube.. Since I have to "roll" the top bearings in, I would have to install the top ones dry to plastigage properly, then remove and reinstall with a smear of lube afterwards (I don't use a lot, but i'm certain it would affect the measurement). But, there's always some tiny risk I'll damage something in the process, since I can't do it properly with the engine out of the car this time.

I guess I'll try checking them with the top shell lubed (sparingly), bottom shell clean, and only re-check fully dry if the result is completely out of range one way or the other.

Hope my other strips arent totally dried out. I wasn't careful about keeping them in the bag they came in, and am already paying the price after a few weeks.

Yes, the lube will affect the plastigage readings. Do you already have the rods attached? Normally the crank first goes in dry (don't spin the crank while dry!), check thrust clearance, plastigage the mains, remove crank, wipe-off plastigage, lube main bearings, re-install crank. Then work with the rods. I wish you started a dedicated thread!...

*get new plastigage if it's gone bad.
*Don't scratch the journals!

[meeceboy78]

i put those little rubber covers on the door latches so my door shuts like butter now.
a new hazard light switch
a new sunroof crank.
and the best part was i scored some really nice recaro's and put them in.
i don't know why the picture is sideways, i don't know how to fix it.

[osburn383]

i put those little rubber covers on the door latches so my door shuts like butter now.
a new hazard light switch
a new sunroof crank.
and the best part was i scored some really nice recaro's and put them in.
i don't know why the picture is sideways, i don't know how to fix it.

Nice. They look like they are in great shape.
I got one recaro to throw in my car whenever i can find a second one to match.

[meeceboy78]

Nice. They look like they are in great shape.
I got one recaro to throw in my car whenever i can find a second one to match.

thank you! yes they are in really good shape.
man, that would drive me nuts to only have one. Thats almost like getting a toy for Christmas with no batteries. LOL

[dups]

Try finding a really nice driver's side e30 sport seat...and having no e30. I've been holding on to it for 4 years now.

So Ryan, did you car have recaros to begin with? It's an S-Pak, or you're converting?

[Somjuan]

Dups, pretty sure you can take the lower seat rails from your stock e21 seat and put that on the upper e30 one. Don't quote me on that though, not 100%

[meeceboy78]

Try finding a really nice driver's side e30 sport seat...and having no e30. I've been holding on to it for 4 years now.

So Ryan, did you car have recaros to begin with? It's an S-Pak, or you're converting?

Yes i understand, it took me 5 months of pretty solid searching to find these. so the car is an S-Pak originally, but the guy who had it before me swapped the original recaros for the standard seat. they were trashed and i wanted the car to be correct again.

[cgifool]

Yesterday I took a day trip up to Richardson, TX and visited a euro repair shop that was closing after 48 years in business. They were doing a brisk business selling dusty old NOS vw, volvo, and saab parts online, I was there to pick the bones of a 1980 320i automatic parts car (no engine, transmission or seats).

For my $50 and 6 hour roundtrip from Austin, I got the following stuff (neatly organized in zip lock bags I brought, with associated hardware), not the cheapest price ever, but I was partly into it for the adventure.

trunk light and wiring, 1 window crank & plastic ring, 1 door handle / trim / plastic ring, vent window mounting hardware (both sides), 2x vent window gasket strip (the front side one), 1 vent window latch. 4 speaker grilles (front & rear, with rear riser), a/c temp control and knob, front ashtray, ashtray light & 6 inches of wires to it, glovebox light switch, e30-style nylon webbing glovebox straps, 1 front turn signal connector & wires, 2 original horns, passenger side door gasket (perfect).

There was a power steering rack, but the system was open (hoses hanging, pump gone), so I didn't seriously consider taking it. The diff was open.

[320iAman]

I picked up a new tool to speed things along as it may be required from hand tools- Ridgid Impact Wrench X4 18V 1/2" anvil-Cordless, variable speed with tri leds lights in front- 325 lbs /ft, I have 1/2 " impact extension wobbles, impact deep and short sockets, impact universals,Impact socket reducers(eg 1/2" to 3/8",ect) batteries and a charger, this will get a lsa lifetime service agreement upgrade from standard 3 yr warranty-when bought at HD or other authorized seller and registered with Ridgid-done ! and being processed, already have lsa on battery and charger , ect . Nothing like speedy mobility when required, more than enough power to get the job done .

ridgid.jpg

Randy

[dups]

Dups, pretty sure you can take the lower seat rails from your stock e21 seat and put that on the upper e30 one. Don't quote me on that though, not 100%

Oi vey! I wish it was that simple, but you're right in a way: I'm short, and putting these seats in makes it a few inches higher. BMW just had to put e30 seats on a weird rail. Mostly, it's our cars' faults; we have that U channel. However, if you find a nice set, some say they're more comfortable than the rearos are. Tom D did his real nice. The right way takes cutting out the channel and then some welding, but...the seats Do line right up with the holes. I believe when I tried, I just needed a longer bolt?.? I cannot exactly remember. Planning on taking out the carpet soon, so I'll let ppl know.

[dups]

I have another thing here. To cgiFOOL (I know you like this thread)... The pic of the evap core and blower: that's not the one you can access from the engine compartment, right?
This here:
evapcoresnip.JPG
That's behind the ac panel...in the "box" behind? I guess the other one is called the heater (but it is just the fan to me, we have enough heat)?

[ericwudi0830]

gonna be taking it for a car wash soon after work

[Somjuan]

Oi vey! I wish it was that simple, but you're right in a way: I'm short, and putting these seats in makes it a few inches higher. BMW just had to put e30 seats on a weird rail. Mostly, it's our cars' faults; we have that U channel. However, if you find a nice set, some say they're more comfortable than the rearos are. Tom D did his real nice. The right way takes cutting out the channel and then some welding, but...the seats Do line right up with the holes. I believe when I tried, I just needed a longer bolt?.? I cannot exactly remember. Planning on taking out the carpet soon, so I'll let ppl know.

It's the offset of height that's the problem. Just had mine off to install an amp. Swapping the rails is what the e28 dudes do to fit sport seats in their cars, depending on what they're from. Some of them have a wider base though, so there's that. I should have checked while my seat was out, I have a pair I'm reupholstering...it was just so hot and I was lazy

[OLD MAN]

Pulled the engine, trans and related parts out of the 81 runabout today.

Have another engine prepped and ready to drop in.

But I am going to do some fab work for mounting skid plates and tubular front bumper before dropping the engine in. Trying to decide if I should make the bumper a winch mounting one or not? Need to get at it as I am going to have both knees replaced mid August!

[dwilsonfl]

Busy banging on struts to try and get the 36 year old inserts out. Applying heat later.

[320iAman]

I picked up a new tool to speed things along as it may be required from hand tools- Ridgid Impact Wrench X4 18V 1/2" anvil-Cordless, variable speed with tri leds lights in front- 325 lbs /ft, I have 1/2 " impact extension wobbles, impact deep and short sockets, impact universals,Impact socket reducers(eg 1/2" to 3/8",ect) batteries and a charger, this will get a lsa lifetime service agreement upgrade from standard 3 yr warranty-when bought at HD or other authorized seller and registered with Ridgid-done ! and being processed, already have lsa on battery and charger , ect . Nothing like speedy mobility when required, more than enough power to get the job done .

ridgid.jpg

Randy

Ridgid upped my warranty from 3 years to lifetime warranty, all done on line, LSA notice today.

Randy

[320iAman]

I had problems with my locks using a key,,I broke out a spare and problems gone,,had a new key made from a blank,,all good.

Randy

[OLD MAN]

did some more fab work on the new front end (body and bumper) Back in with the front diving broad.

What it looked like last week

DSC_0032.jpg

What it looks like this afternoon

new front bumper 1.jpg new front bumper 2.jpg new front bumper 3.jpg new front bumper 4.jpg

[SilverPuddle]

Working on AC installation...cooling work!
IMG_4278.jpg

[OLD MAN]

Still getting things done to the "Run About" - this week I lowered the rear subframe about an inch by moving the mount to the top of the mounting flange of the subframe. I added a 3/4" thick piece of aluminum between them also.

On the front tube bumper I added the bottom plates which mount between the body the sway bar mounts. The front will have skid plates to protect front of body, sway bar and oil pan. I also added recovery points for D-rings and as points to attach a tow bar for towing it out on camping trips.

rear 1.jpg rear 3.jpg rear 2.jpg rear 7.jpg

[OLD MAN]

Picture of the work on the front end -

front 1.jpg front 4.jpg front 2.jpg front 5.jpg front 6.jpg

[320iAman]

Tracked down a bearing noise in the front of the motor, Changed out my alternator with a spare-known good and isolated it in the water pump, changed out the water pump and put in BMW Blue Coolant, noise gone, also did a little adjustment to the alternator bracket,, The water pump taken out bumps as it spins,, very poor sealed bearing quality, new water pump is brand name one, here, much better and longer warranty.

Randy

[amarino]

$1000 1980 320i 5-speed slicktop. Sadly not mine but picked it up for our very own LasVegasCop.

IMG_20170725_192512.jpg

[gsumzzz]

that cop gonna start a new project thread?

[okieflats]

That's nice, I like the fact it has no passenger side rear view mirror. The driver side one should be replaced with a chrome flag and it'd be good.