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Thread: 1976 BMW 530i Barn Find

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Oct 2016
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    Jackson, NJ
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    1976 BMW 530i

    1976 BMW 530i Barn Find

    Just acquired a 76 BMW 530i that has not seen daylight in 38 years with 12,078 original miles. The original owner left only one key at last service in the glove compartment. It fits the doors, ignition and the gas cap. We can't get into the trunk and are really hoping that the missing head rest is in there.

    Is there a second key, or did I find the valet key? We have never owned one of these, and have no clue. The owner was 94 and no one can find the keys.

    Thanks for any help offered.

    Also looking for a work around to get the trunk opened!

    Jeff
    Last edited by ffriker; 10-23-2016 at 11:24 PM. Reason: add pics

  2. #2
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    11/88 E32 750iL+98 E36M3
    Congrats to the barn find, Jeff. I moved it from the 5 series general forum to the E28 forum, that is closest to the E21, probably the members here can help.
    As for the key, maybe they once changed the trunk lock and that needs another key, just an assumption. Some info here from E21 http://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/sh...ving-boot-lock
    The trunk lock system on the E12 looks like this http://www.rogerstii.com/bmw-trunk-l...h-key-e12-e24/
    how to drill a hole and use a wire http://www.bimmerboard.com/forums/posts/812695
    Shogun tricks and tips for the E32 series are HERE!

  3. #3
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    Sometimes the trunk lock can become stuck. Try to pull the lock out all the way before depressing it to see if it will release. Also make sure it is turned in the correct direction to allow release.

  4. #4
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    KMS has a used E12 owners manual and also the ETM http://www.bmw-stuff.com/products.asp
    Shogun tricks and tips for the E32 series are HERE!

  5. #5
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    '92 325I, '87 528
    The gasoline has either turned to jelly or has all evaporated. Either way, you will likely have to replace the fuel pump(s), fuel filter, and most of the vacuum and fuel lines. Corrosion on the electrical connections may be a factor as well. I don't know if that year is carbureted or if it has mechanical fuel injection. Either way, you may have to do some work on everything fuel related. Cool find. The wheels will be metric, so best to find some different wheels so that you can purchase new tires for it.
    Cars: '92 325I 5-speed
    '93/'92 325I 5-speed
    '96 328IC, automatic
    '87 528e automatic
    '95 325I automatic
    '94 Volvo 850T wagon
    '95 Volvo 960 wagon

  6. #6
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    A 530i would be fuel injected as there never was a 530. It should have an early l-jet system. The wheels should not be metric as most of the very early e12s used steel wheels and hub caps in 14" size but could also have the 14" alloys. I don't believe any e12s came with metric as they typically came into play further into the 80s.

  7. #7
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    I'm going by what wheel sizes the early eighties 7 series had. Odd that the earlier ones would be in inches and switched to metric for just a few years, but I'll take your word for it. The e21 4 cylinder used a mechanical fuel injection, so I figured that the '76 3.0 L. engine was not advanced enough to have electronic fuel injection. I don't know what year the carburetor went out of favor in BMWs.
    Cars: '92 325I 5-speed
    '93/'92 325I 5-speed
    '96 328IC, automatic
    '87 528e automatic
    '95 325I automatic
    '94 Volvo 850T wagon
    '95 Volvo 960 wagon

  8. #8
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    Quote Originally Posted by dlduke View Post
    I'm going by what wheel sizes the early eighties 7 series had. Odd that the earlier ones would be in inches and switched to metric for just a few years, but I'll take your word for it. The e21 4 cylinder used a mechanical fuel injection, so I figured that the '76 3.0 L. engine was not advanced enough to have electronic fuel injection. I don't know what year the carburetor went out of favor in BMWs.
    The early 80's 7 series used 14" tires and wheels. The metric TRX came to the US with the introduction of the 735i and 635csi (late 84) and was offered just prior to that in the European market.

    The e21 4 cylinder did not use mechanical fuel injection. It used the Bosch K-jet injection system. The 2002 used a mechanical Kugelfischer injection system. BMW was very advanced at the time and was up front with their offerings.

    BMW had carbureted offerings as late a 1988 in Europe.

  9. #9
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    '92 325I, '87 528
    The fuel distributor, which is mechanical, is what I was referring to. You are correct in that the 4 cyl. engine does have fuel injectors, but I'm not familiar with how the injectors or ignition are controlled by the Jetronic computer. I thought the fuel distributor, coil and distributor took care of ignition and fuel delivery. I'm not sure I even want to know. I had a few nearly deceased E21s. They were dogs for the most part and a black hole for time. The E30s, on the other hand, were exceptional.
    Cars: '92 325I 5-speed
    '93/'92 325I 5-speed
    '96 328IC, automatic
    '87 528e automatic
    '95 325I automatic
    '94 Volvo 850T wagon
    '95 Volvo 960 wagon

  10. #10
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    '92 325I, '87 528
    - - - Updated - - -

    I think the injectors are open all the time. Fuel amount is governed by a pivoting baffle plate mounted in air intake. The E21s have what is called an ignition control unit, which is quite small and mounted out in the open in the engine bay. It works in conjunction with the lambda sensor. That system is called K-Jetronic as you correctly stated. That being said, I have no clue as to what type of fuel injection the '76 530I has.
    Last edited by dlduke; 10-26-2016 at 11:46 PM. Reason: further information
    Cars: '92 325I 5-speed
    '93/'92 325I 5-speed
    '96 328IC, automatic
    '87 528e automatic
    '95 325I automatic
    '94 Volvo 850T wagon
    '95 Volvo 960 wagon

  11. #11
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    S.E PA
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    1989 325is 5speed
    Sounds interesting! How about some pictures?

  12. #12
    Join Date
    Apr 2016
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    Queens, NY
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    78 530i, 80 528i euro
    Quote Originally Posted by ffriker View Post
    Just acquired a 76 BMW 530i that has not seen daylight in 38 years with 12,078 original miles. The original owner left only one key at last service in the glove compartment. It fits the doors, ignition and the gas cap. We can't get into the trunk and are really hoping that the missing head rest is in there.

    Is there a second key, or did I find the valet key? We have never owned one of these, and have no clue. The owner was 94 and no one can find the keys.

    Thanks for any help offered.

    Also looking for a work around to get the trunk opened!

    Jeff
    When I lost my key for my 78 530i I took apart the glove box lock and had a key made using the 4 digit code (IIRC) on the cylinder. It worked for the doors, ignition and trunk.

  13. #13
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    Oct 2016
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    E83 LCI 3.0si
    Post some photos! Let's see her in all her glory.

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