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Thread: former Lurker, 80 733i

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jun 2018
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    MT View, HI
    Posts
    167
    My Cars
    '80 733i , '76 2002

    former Lurker, 80 733i

    Hello All,
    About time to post so I can thanks all you for the unknowing help. What a great resource.
    Bought an 80 733i back in February. Fairly low miles, base model (read no power seats). 3.2 auto. Originally dark braun met, but now a gold color. 2 tone interior, beige and chocolate. Hadn't been driven in about 7 years. Po had died. New lines, pump, and filters and it fired up. Drove it home, but it idled badly. I've now got all intake gaskets, new injectors, and other small service parts. Had to order another manifold (#123) as the injector bolt was snapped off. While I'm waiting for that tto arrive from the motherland, I chanced across an 89 635csi parts car. Cool, I can do the 3.5/Motronic upgrade I read about here. Turns out the timimg chain was snapped, and all the pistons have been kissed by the valves. Oh well. Back to plan 1. At least the 6er gave me an 3.73 LSD diff. Thanks to this board, I'm also waiting on a case cover with upgraded bolts and new seals for it.
    Attatched pics of the machine.
    Thanks for having me.
    Attached Images Attached Images
    Last edited by TowJamma; 07-07-2018 at 02:14 AM. Reason: pic added

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jun 2010
    Location
    TX
    Posts
    4,487
    My Cars
    1983/84/85 745i

    Thumbs up

    Hit up Kojo on here, he has an early car and it had similar running issues. My speciality are the turbo cars, so I am not of much help. Sorry.



    Welcome aboard!
    I make E23 parts.
    09/1983 745i (stolen spring '13 around Houston, TX Achatgruen on nutria buffalo. 8481080)
    10/1984 745i
    11/1984 745i
    11/1984 735i (10:1-265/6)
    Ford, MB, and GM round out the pack.



  3. #3
    Join Date
    Jun 2018
    Location
    MT View, HI
    Posts
    167
    My Cars
    '80 733i , '76 2002
    Thanks for the welcome. This wasn't a plea for help as much as a thanks for all the information available on this site.
    I believe the injectors will fix most of idling issues. After that, time to tackle the A/C.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Dec 2009
    Location
    Seattle, Washington
    Posts
    958
    My Cars
    E23 E24 euros E34 E38
    Welcome

    Sent from my HTC6545LVW using Tapatalk

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Jun 2018
    Location
    MT View, HI
    Posts
    167
    My Cars
    '80 733i , '76 2002
    So turns out the e24 3.73 lsd is a medium case. My 733 is running a large case. I thought I was going to have to sell the med. case, but read in a recent thread that putting it in my ride is no big deal. I tried the search function, but my input must be bad.
    My concerns are:
    ) the driveshaft. Wouldn't it have to be lengthened?
    ) the cover. Is the sizing different between the two? Or will the e24 cover mount to my e23? looks the same, but I don't have them side x side yet.
    Anything else I'm missing?
    Thanks

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Feb 2009
    Location
    Pittsburgh, PA
    Posts
    1,718
    My Cars
    '86 635CSi, '08 128i
    Sounds like you're making great progress... However, the diff cover swap won't work for you. The medium case rear cover is slightly too short to fit onto the large case. The E24 rear mount is a little different too...IIRC the really late E24 was offset instead of centered.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Jun 2018
    Location
    MT View, HI
    Posts
    167
    My Cars
    '80 733i , '76 2002
    NA
    Last edited by TowJamma; 02-06-2019 at 12:45 AM.

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Jun 2018
    Location
    MT View, HI
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    167
    My Cars
    '80 733i , '76 2002

    road worthy

    Been a little bit since my last update. Finally got the manifold, new injectors, and the 3.73 installed. Had to elongate the holes in the subframe a bit. While I was in there, new hoses, water pump, Euro headlights (of sorts), and 16" rims and tires. It's also legal and running down the road as of November.
    Reason for the update is I also upgraded the tail and brake lights.
    Upgrade tail light Feb 2019.jpg
    Above is the tails, left is stock, right is upgraded. Below is brakes, Same spiel.
    Upgrade brake light.jpg
    Ended up using 6 '80's GM 1157 holders. I know, I know, but it's period correct. And I'm so much more visible.
    Next up is to change the brake accumulator, and then the "740 rear brake" upgrade. Also have some lowering springs in the works, but I need to order the proper suspension pieces.

    Thanks for all the advice, both directly and indirectly!

  9. #9
    Join Date
    May 2010
    Location
    Tangent Oregon
    Posts
    450
    My Cars
    79' 320i 84' 733i

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Dec 2005
    Location
    Omaha NE
    Posts
    200
    My Cars
    84' 533i Turbo
    Looking good!
    How did you do the tail light conversion?

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Jun 2018
    Location
    MT View, HI
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    167
    My Cars
    '80 733i , '76 2002
    Quote Originally Posted by StevenHenriksen View Post
    I like the interior color combo
    Yes, It's very interesting. Even the console is dark brown.
    Quote Originally Posted by gixxerboy View Post
    How did you do the tail light conversion?
    As for the process, I only took a couple pics. Pretty simple. It does modify the bulb housing, so if your a purist, turn away now. I bought a half dozen bulb GM style sockets off eBay. Part number was 7528. I liked these ones as they had a flat back side.
    To start, I pulled the little brass tabs for the existing brake and tail lights. Just a couple tabs on my pre-facelift model. I cut those pieces loose but left the wires to solder to. you can see the squares in the empty socket, these are perfect for the new socket.
    TL2.jpg
    Then come the drilling. I used a 1 inch bit as I don't have a good assortment of metric drills. I drilled three holes so the light value has tripled. I'm ashamed to post the finished product, but it holds the bulb socket perfectly.
    TL3.JPG
    Then I soldered the wires to their proper colors (don't forget the heat shrink) and twisted the sockets in place. They lock down with a 1/4 turn. A little cloth tape over the wires and they tuck nicely under the factory covers.
    TL4.jpg
    I realize they cannot be returned to stock, but I have the originals to my car safely tucked away!

  12. #12
    Join Date
    Jun 2018
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    MT View, HI
    Posts
    167
    My Cars
    '80 733i , '76 2002

    latest pic

    Realized I don't have a pic with the Headlights or the 16's
    Attached Images Attached Images

  13. #13
    Join Date
    Jul 2010
    Location
    Leland, NC
    Posts
    828
    My Cars
    85 €735i 08 550i/6
    Nice 2002

    Sent from my LGLS755 using Tapatalk

  14. #14
    Join Date
    Mar 2013
    Location
    USA
    Posts
    465
    My Cars
    E21/early e23/e34
    James, looks good, can't wait to see what else you do to it!!! And that 02... looks really nice too.

  15. #15
    Join Date
    May 2010
    Location
    Tangent Oregon
    Posts
    450
    My Cars
    79' 320i 84' 733i
    Nice collection you have there! I might have some lowering springs and old bilsteins available pretty soon if you are in the market.

  16. #16
    Join Date
    Jun 2018
    Location
    MT View, HI
    Posts
    167
    My Cars
    '80 733i , '76 2002

    Mahalo All

    The 2002 (Gretta) is why I bought the 733i. Needed a car to cruise while I put her out of commission. It's about there, but there's an m90 on the BigCoupe forum that's tempting me. Fortunately, I'm not a member there.
    Gretta's planned repairs are a couple bad spots on the passenger floor, headliner, dash refurb, a few oil leaks, and add AC. Been collecting parts for a bit. The previous owner loved the little lady, so she has some nice upgrades.

  17. #17
    Join Date
    Mar 2019
    Location
    San Rafael, CA, USA
    Posts
    1
    My Cars
    1983 E23 733i
    If TowJamma doesn't need the suspension parts I would be very interested. I'm getting an '83 733i back on its feet and suspension is next on my list.

  18. #18
    Join Date
    Jun 2018
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    MT View, HI
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    My Cars
    '80 733i , '76 2002
    Another update. Sent the vin into BMW archives. Got this.

    Dear Sir,
    Thank you for your email.
    The BMW 733i US VIN 7360302 was manufactured in December 1979. Further details are not known, because the delivery records are not complete anymore.
    Maybe you are lucky and able to find the so called "Laufzettel" under the rear seat bench (where the colours and options are coded). Then you can send us a picture of the "Laufzettel" and we will check the options lists for more information. If the Laufzettel isn't there anymore, please contact us again. We could try to find out at least the original colour via the inspection card.
    Nevertheless we hope this information is helpful for you.
    Yours sincerely,
    Julia Oberndörfer

    Well, I have the Laufzettel, so I sent her pics. Got this

    Dear Sir,
    Thank you for your reply.
    This is the decoding of the "Laufzettel":
    Kundennr. 0004 - Customer number: importer BMW of North America
    Farbe 154 - original colour Brasilbraun metallic, paint code 154
    Polster 0110 - upholstery Leather Parchment
    44.5 - radio preparation
    60.2 - automatic cruise control
    75.8 - maker's plate
    We hope this is helpful for you.
    Yours sincerely,
    Julia Oberndörfer

    What a great service. I was trying to look up codes myself, but everything came back as S or U codes.
    Talk about a minimaly optioned 7. I understand US bound 7er's were fairly well loaded to start. I have leather, sunroof, power windows, etc., but Cruise...
    Last edited by TowJamma; 04-18-2019 at 12:49 AM.

  19. #19
    Join Date
    Jun 2018
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    MT View, HI
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    My Cars
    '80 733i , '76 2002

    another leak

    I have also been fighting a leak that fills up my passenger rear floor. Trunk is dry. Headliner is dry. car is nearly rust free. I did a lot of web searching and scouring the car in the recommended places. I have the plug and carpet padding out of the rear floor area to facilitate drainage.
    Not nearly rust free as I thought. I pulled the Hofmeister kink trim, and wow. There it is. That will let some rain in. Especially as we live in the land of rain.
    As soon as I finish playing with the 2002, I've some welding to do. That would also be a good time to install the wide band sensor.
    Attached Images Attached Images

  20. #20
    Join Date
    Jun 2018
    Location
    MT View, HI
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    167
    My Cars
    '80 733i , '76 2002

    bumper conversion

    Found a little time (while waitng for the 02 parts) to install a euro rear bumper. Don't have the lower pan, but white jaguar on my e28 dotcom sells a nice looking fiberglass one. Price isn't bad for being shipped from Russia. Get it here and get in in paint, yum.

    Also needing the side trim if anyone has a spare or two for sale... Come on, it's worth a try.
    Attached Images Attached Images

  21. #21
    Join Date
    Jun 2018
    Location
    MT View, HI
    Posts
    167
    My Cars
    '80 733i , '76 2002
    A couple years since an update. Just been driving around once a week. Dreaming of a motor upgrade. That poor 80's smogged, low compression, 3.2. Then a motor showed up on craigslist. Couldn't resist. Had to buy the whole car, but that just means I have (most) everything for the swap. It is an 06 m3, 94k miles, salvage title, and the SMG is acting up. Runs and drives.
    Thoughts? Suggestions? Am I crazy? They are putting these in e30s, so...


    vert 733i.jpg

  22. #22
    Join Date
    May 2010
    Location
    Tangent Oregon
    Posts
    450
    My Cars
    79' 320i 84' 733i
    An S54 in an E23 would be fun, I don't think I have seen that done yet! They have been swapped into E30's, E21's, and E28's quite a bit, so there should be a lot of helpful info available as far as wiring transmission fitment. Also, glad to see you still enjoying the 733. I forgot what an interesting color it is, I like it a lot.

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