Head Bolt Length Difference

[capebmw]

I am replacing the cylinder head on my 98 328. I went to FCP and chose the car and searched head bolts. They sent me a set. Went to replace the head yesterday and the F$%* bolts are too long!! I went to RealOem and checked part #'s and I come up with something different than what FCP says. But, they do carry the Real part #. I didn't think there was any difference in bolt length as long as you had the M52 motor. I have emailed them and I am sure we will sort it out, just curious as to why they are different. Any thoughts?

[boarder2k7]

How much too long? You remembered to use the washers right?

Honestly they probably just sent the wrong parts. I love them and recommend them all the time, but I've learned to check my orders.

[flyfishvt]

I got my head bolts at my local parts store. $15 and it didn't take any longer to get them than if I had ordered them online. The headbolts for all m/s5x engines are the same length. You got the wrong parts.

[M3blitkrieg]

There are 2 sizes. Short for standard engines and i beleive the longer 115mm are for blocks that had repaired stripped threads. In what curcumstances one would or could strip the threads idk. But this also happened to me. Ordered the longer bolts to find them about .5" too long.

[capebmw]

Well, seems as though the ones I received are for an E46, even though the website says they are for a 1999 328. I know there was a transition to the E46 chassis. And for some reason, that motor, (why it is different??) uses a 110mm length, the earlier M52 use a 95MM.....Have learned a lesson, again...

[M3blitkrieg]

Maybe its an aluminum block thing. The m52 was same block and head as m50 casting i think. But the m52tu is more like the m54. I know the m54 has aluminum block but i havent ever gotten that deep in a m52tu as i think they where only used for 2 or 3 years on e46. But either way no e36 ever came with a m52tu. So why the longer bolts are listed under e36 in any way besides being on the z3 or whatever model m50/m52 aluminum blocks can only be for stripped thread repair(possibly on those aluminum blocks).

[Nanniepoo]

Well, seems as though the ones I received are for an E46, even though the website says they are for a 1999 328. I know there was a transition to the E46 chassis. And for some reason, that motor, (why it is different??) uses a 110mm length, the earlier M52 use a 95MM.....Have learned a lesson, again...

....a 99 328 is an E46.

Earlier you state you have a '98, and if so, why did you punch in a '99? If that's the case, sounds like they sent you the right stuff, you just picked the wrong car.

[bluptgm3]

....a 99 328 is an E46.

Earlier you state you have a '98, and if so, why did you punch in a '99? If that's the case, sounds like they sent you the right stuff, you just picked the wrong car.

For clarification -
E36 Coupes, 328's were produced thru April 99 and M3's were produced into May 99, with 323's produced into May.
E36 Convertibles, 328's were produced into September, M3s were produced into August, with 323 Convertibles produced into September.

Same *400 head casting.

[jakermac]

And 97-98 Z3 Roadster 2.8 came with a single Vanos M52 which had an aluminum block, not anything like the E46 M52tu and M54 aluminum blocks. Architecturally the single Vanos aluminum M52 is almost identical to the single Vanos iron blocks but uses the longer headbolts from the E46 aluminum blocks.

[spyderg0d]

Longer bolts are for aluminum m52 blocks and m54 engines.

[capebmw]

....a 99 328 is an E46.

Earlier you state you have a '98, and if so, why did you punch in a '99? If that's the case, sounds like they sent you the right stuff, you just picked the wrong car.

I screwed that up, it is a 99. But, it is the transition year and it has all components of the E36, so don't know what to tell you. Have ordered the new bolts and they should work

[JDStrickland]

Part of the problem is that the M52 has a single VANOS and a dual VANOS variation.