My 79' 320i resto

[slash2244]

Im in the process of restoring and getting a 320i roadworthy and figured i might as well post my progress on here as way to seek help, a way to help out people in the same boat, and a source of entertainment as you watch a guy with little to no car experience tackling a build to save a quick buck. So sit back and enjoy the ride.

[mjweimer]

Welcome! Sounds like a fun project. There is a lot of good info in FAQ and DIY sections and lots of folks with experience who post regularly.

One very helpful link is to the factory repair manual and torque specs manual that can be found here:

https://www.bmwtechinfo.com/repair/main/index.htm



MJ

[slash2244]

So far up to this point I've got a new battery and done a compression test
Replaced the fuel pumps and pulled the fuel distrib and sensor housing torn it apart and cleaned it
Painted the valve cover and fuel distrib ( gotta make it look pretty)
And pulled the intake off to get to the fuel injectors
Now the task is getting the exhaust manifold off and doing an a/c delete

[lsvco.]

So far up to this point I've got a new battery and done a compression test
Replaced the fuel pumps and pulled the fuel distrib and sensor housing torn it apart and cleaned it
Painted the valve cover and fuel distrib ( gotta make it look pretty)
And pulled the intake off to get to the fuel injectors
Now the task is getting the exhaust manifold off and doing an a/c delete

Welcome to the family Slash!

Out of curiosity, what compression tester were you using? I was attempting to do a compression test and could not get the adapter to thread into the spark plug holes correctly.

[slash2244]

It was something I made custom, a lot cheaper then going out and buying one

[slash2244]

Ive reached the first road block, how do I even get this bumper off

[MortyCrock]

Ive reached the first road block, how do I even get this bumper off

If you haven't figured it out yet, there are two bolts that are underneath that bolt to the bumper shocks. undo them and it slides out.

[slash2244]

it took me a while ( more than it should have) but i did find out. more for future reference but does anyone know if they still sell the bumper tuck brackets to replace the struts

[lsvco.]

it took me a while ( more than it should have) but i did find out. more for future reference but does anyone know if they still sell the bumper tuck brackets to replace the struts

I don’t have a link to it but I’ve seen a couple bumper tuck threads for 5 series (e12) and I would assume it is similar. If I remember right it involves drilling a hole to drain the oil in the shock that way it can be installed compressed.... feel free to correct me if I am wrong as I’m not looking at the thread to reference.

Also, how did cleaning the fuel distributor and housing go? Just pulled mine out and am getting ready to tackle that. Any tips? Anything you’d do differently? Did you also remove the alternator, oil filter housing and support bar just to the right of the air intake housing? I’m sure I made things more difficult then they needed to be but was on a war path and refused to break to read the proper way to do things ha!

[slash2244]

yeah i saw that , hoping to buy the bracket to save the shock incase i change my mind in the future maybe i can find a picture and try to make my own, and i did the same thing just went on a war path, seemed easier imo. and as far as cleaning the housing either a parts cleaner or tons of throttle body cleaner is the best way to do it using some scotch brite pads with it ( at least thats how i did it ) and just keep an eye on parts thats what i would do differently, not my strong suit sometimes

[slash2244]

woo got the bumper off and the nasty accordions off and the works. now to get the bumper shocks off and remove the rest of the a/c stuff.29391768_1995211967407639_686787487_o (1).jpg

[slash2244]

Time to back track. Thought the guy before me replaced the fuel pump in tank but he can't even remember if he did. So time to check that. Replace some seals and check the fuel system, filters, ect

[StevenHenriksen]

Nice work so far. What color is your E21?

[slash2244]

good ol' brown. lol

[Ben32453245]

Love it, I have the same car color and all haha ac delete is easy and the windows are so big you don't need it haha. If your getting rid of useless weight and power draw you can chuck the egr and basically just plug all the wholes


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[Ben32453245]

Welcome to the family Slash!

Out of curiosity, what compression tester were you using? I was attempting to do a compression test and could not get the adapter to thread into the spark plug holes correctly.

Auto zone kit worked for me


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[slash2244]

yeah thats on the list. but i might have to still have the egr present but not working depending on what my inspector says. either way i dont have to use its so thatll get me some power. and i got rid of the belt fan and will be putting in an electric when i get it running. with my upcoming posts theyll be a little more in depth, more pictures, ect.. so its not as bland

[slash2244]

So looking over at stuff thats possibly missing or not ( i have no clue.) #16 on this diagram, on my car there is nothing hooked up , is that normal or ?AIr Flow Sensor.png

[slash2244]

Bump

[Somjuan]

Totally normal, those were used in other cars as well. It has no input for our cars and never has. Some people around here, including myself, have had trouble smogging because the techs sometimes think that something needs to be plugged in there.