My disaster turned into an adventure story.
The car I was seriously considering junking, stuck in Quartzite, AZ with a ruined flex plate and starter (and who knows what else), is now parked outside my hotel in Los Angeles.
Spent 3+ days getting help from Old Man 8-hour round trip with a trailer, some searching and parts ordering, and over two days of removing the air intake, vacuum system, fuel distribution system, cruise control, vacuum system, differential, drive shafts, exhaust, and of course the starter and transmission.
The truck and RV tire center that pulled the starter in the first place damaged some vacuum lines and crushed some fitting for the fuel lines. Old Man and Randy sorted out getting me those parts. Amazingly, between Pelican, BAV and Bimmerworld I got all I needed - except for a couple of taped up and custom-trimmed to fit vacuum lines.
Runs great.
While we were at it, the steering rack bushings were replaced. Less shimmy, and at a slightly higher speed. Almost none.
And I replaced the guibo / flex disk. No more loud 'harmonic' vibration at all.
And no more rattle-vibration I thought was coming from the parcel shelf. I think that was the flex plate. Pretty sure that was warped.
All-in-all I can say that I would not have a bmw if it weren't for the members of this forum. You guys make E21s possible!
THANKS!
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I want to congratulate you on your resilience and the great support from the members of this community. Glad you could continue the fun as an E21 driver.
cool story.
Tom D
77 e21 - m42
88 e30m3
04 330 dinan3
84 r1000rt
02 r1150rs
all of them gray
14 f800gsa - red headed stepchild!
Awesome support from the community! Good to hear things worked out for the better.
Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk
1977 320i - BBSs, Recaros, LSD, Zender bits
Congrats on not giving up on your car and to the guys that helped you out.
Thats awesome. This forum truly is great. I can thank the success to countless projects to this forum. Glad you got the flywheel and more sorted out. When you get home Id love to see pictures of the e21 next to your rabbit (if I recall correctly)
I'll try to remember to do that. They both have one parking space in a basement garage between them, so one has to leave.
Steve it was a fun time (most of the time- except for when I had to walk away).
Glad we were able to get back up and running.
Mcgee's E21 is the nicest E21 I have ever worked on!
Always FUN TO DRIVE - Build Thread & Tech info - 79 320/6 track car build thread -- Videos of track car -Adam in car Auto-x video - Start-up video - 4/2011 Adam's TOP BMW time San Diego BMWCCA - 4-5-15 Dyno break-in run new M20B25 - Exhaust Thread - Link
Great news, thanks for the followup!!
Super cool! Always nice to see people helping each other out!
Glad to hear its running and the problems got sorted out,this forum is more like a club of e21 owners,there has been get togethers, bbq's and so on.
Randy
wow, I've read your random post after purchase of regret and defeat and you held on to hope, and added the help of some of the members this is awesome to hear. Glad you stuck it out and got the assistance you needed to! I'm excited for you man.
Drove it round trip to work today.
Of course I'm very skiddish about every noise, shake, second-long delay to start, lol.
Old Man - It's amazing we didn't tip it off the jack stands and kick it to pieces! What are they talking about when they say 'German engineering?" Mercedes??
I know that skittishness and extra-sensitivity well!!
But it sure feels fantastic when you successfully pull off a few drives to work and back!!
glad to hear she runs out well. those are two smart e21 guys indeed!
Always FUN TO DRIVE - Build Thread & Tech info - 79 320/6 track car build thread -- Videos of track car -Adam in car Auto-x video - Start-up video - 4/2011 Adam's TOP BMW time San Diego BMWCCA - 4-5-15 Dyno break-in run new M20B25 - Exhaust Thread - Link
Drove up, no appointment and walked away with a cert well within the limits. Really surprised as a couple of hoses were 'custom'.
DMV records show it passed every year except about 2 years ago - I bet that's when the new cat was put in.
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(Really wish I knew how to make a portrait photo be a portrait photo on this forum).
Great news!! Glad to hear it passed - and first time.
I think the picture issue is with phone pics, can you rotate the picture in the phone before posting it?
I always use "real" camera pics and edit them before posting, you have seen my phone. LOL
Always FUN TO DRIVE - Build Thread & Tech info - 79 320/6 track car build thread -- Videos of track car -Adam in car Auto-x video - Start-up video - 4/2011 Adam's TOP BMW time San Diego BMWCCA - 4-5-15 Dyno break-in run new M20B25 - Exhaust Thread - Link
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