1981 320is Back on the Road - the time has come

[arp5034]

Hey guys. I have been browsing the forum for the past few days and figured I would join up and post my progress.
Have a 1981 320is that has been in the family for 36 years.
1983 = My father bought it used as a theft recovery up in New York. Thieves stole all the Sport parts and left it abandoned. He drove it as a daily in NY and here in MD.
1999 = we started a restoration on the car as it had been sitting outside neglected and not driven. Engine was not rebuilt but majority of the rest of the car was touched including repaint and interior. All the original S parts were sourced and everything brought back to stock.
2005 = the original clutch started to go out and it was garaged under cover being started occasionally as I went off to school.
2019 = ITS TIME! I have the full clutch kit and going to get it back on the road this Spring.

Recently I have replaced all 4 injectors, replaced the fuel pump, replaced fuel filter, inspected fuel tanks (need to remove and have treated / sealed), replaced KJet fuel dist as mine was not throwing fuel to all cylinders (gummed up).

Few other issues include high idle, unknown cooling system condition, unknown brake condition etc.

I was able to get it started this past weekend after installing the new kjet.

In 1999-2005 I was all over the internet researching and outbidding you on all the eBay parts you lost. Will give back and post my progress here the next few months.

Cheers! -AP

See recent photos here: https://drive.google.com/drive/folde...Qa?usp=sharing

[mossyoaks]

Great job!
Sorting the fuel system out is the trickiest part and you've done it.

[cgifool]

Congratulations! Getting that baby started must have been a real treat!!

I'd caution you against running it more until you get those tanks pulled and cleaned out though.. Also you didn't mention replacing ALL the old rubber fuel lines in the gas tank, fuel pump, and trunk vapor canister region - they are critical.

My car also needed all new rubber vacuum lines under the hood, as well as the large one connecting the fuel tanks together and the other large one connecting the right-side tank to the fuel filler tube. (dry rotted)

[320iAman]

Welcome to forums. Mine is a one family car as well been a daily driver since 1981, bought from a BMW Dealership new with Dealership installed Air Conditioning which has been deleted.


Randy