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Thread: Head Gasket Time

  1. #1
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    Head Gasket Time

    Good Day Gruppe,

    I have the infamous M54 pulled head bolt issue on my 525iT . I would like to either rent or buy the drill jig used for the Timesert installation . I have all of the tooling, I just need the jig .

    Please let me know if you have, or know of one .

    Thanks in advance,
    >>T

  2. #2
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    sent a PM

  3. #3
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    Just replace the whole engine, don't waste your time on a head gasket...
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  4. #4
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    These M54s are dirt cheap these days. Pickup an M54B30 and throw it in.
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  5. #5
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    Quote Originally Posted by computiNATEor View Post
    These M54s are dirt cheap these days. Pickup an M54B30 and throw it in.
    Particularly true in this case. You could update the engine to the M54B30 and pick up 40 horses. It is pretty much a direct bolt in, although you may want to get your DME reflashed to the 3 liter engine (apparently don't have to get it running/driving). And if the 525i touring you have is a manual, it has the upgraded transmission the the 3 liter used.

  6. #6
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    geargrinder is offline Having No Trouble Here BMW CCA Member
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    Quote Originally Posted by effduration View Post
    Particularly true in this case. You could update the engine to the M54B30 and pick up 40 horses. It is pretty much a direct bolt in, although you may want to get your DME reflashed to the 3 liter engine (apparently don't have to get it running/driving). And if the 525i touring you have is a manual, it has the upgraded transmission the the 3 liter used.
    Yep. I'll triple vote that.

    If you do do the 'upgrade' you probably DO want to try to find a fully 'dressed' block if you can (i.e. w/ all the accessories, mainly the 3.0 intakes on it) in order to get the full benefit, but even if you don't, the bigger block will run fine on the 2.5 parts and tune. IIRC the 25 already has the same exhaust manis as the 30?

    We tossed a M52TUB28 block under my buds 325xi when it crapped the bed and its running on an M52B25 tune perfectly happily as a frequent heavily used DD.

    The one watchout is, if you do the whole dressed block / full M54B30 motor, be sure you DO flash the DME at the same time. Different injectors/TB/intake/MAF measuring mean the tune does have to match the intake variant.

    If you keep the smaller 2.5 intake & squirters, then the stock DME should fire up and run fine.
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  7. #7
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    Good Day Gruppe,

    All good advice, however, I'm just trying to get this back on the road for right now . I am in the process of building an engine (3.0l) that will take the place of this one - and be connected to the friction surface (road, for the civil-ly challenged) through a stick . I just want to drive the car before I get into the process of the transplant(ation) . I've built plenty of engines - mostly racing - so this is not an new adventure . I still want to rebuild this engine - I've got a good touring - stick parts car with a good head that is straight and in real good shape (~100k mi) .

    I'm not trying to get the most power I can in a street car - when I feel the need I have a racecar . The touring is a pretty well balanced vehicle and is the backup family hauler . I'm still recovering (literally) from Irma last year - new roof going up next week . Took that long, just to get the shingles that I wanted . Touring pulled to headbolt about a month before Irma . Das Leiben est eine zumpf !

    So, I am really interested in the 14 hole drill jig (Baum Tools style) . I have all of the drill bushings and the bits, I just need the jig for alignment . The need isn't immediate . I need to finish the roof before starting on the touring .

    Thanks again,

    >>T

  8. #8
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    T

    I probably need the same tool for my sons '00 528i M52TUB28 - just not completely certain as to whether I'm going to end up replacing the engine now that I've found some scoring in the cylinder wall. (https://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/s...asket-question)

    If the consensus is that it's still usable, I'll buy the 14 hole jig and do the timeserts - in which case, do you want to take it after I'm done?

    Dave

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