540i M-tech "mechanic special"

[wagons ho]

I took a balancer over to the drill press and used it as a pattern to drill some scrap plate, then welded it to some square stock.
Hangs on my toolbox.
Use it all the time with an enhanced breaker bar. No impact required. 20210205_100235.jpg20210205_100349.jpg

[philly98540]

the rope will stop rotation, but that crank bolt torque goes way above the normal torque a single piston/rod normally sees. Likely would work, but some element of risk involved. I bet it would hold, but eh not worth it IMO.

Use a holder at the crank pulley.

[Jayfabs]

A long piece of 2” x 2” angle iron bolted it the crank flange with the other end on the ground would work.

this is one of the options that I was looking at.

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I took a balancer over to the drill press and used it as a pattern to drill some scrap plate, then welded it to some square stock.
Hangs on my toolbox.
Use it all the time with an enhanced breaker bar. No impact required. 20210205_100235.jpg20210205_100349.jpg

I have seen this before. Definitely a contender. I have to see what scrap metal I have lying around.

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the rope will stop rotation, but that crank bolt torque goes way above the normal torque a single piston/rod normally sees. Likely would work, but some element of risk involved. I bet it would hold, but eh not worth it IMO.

Use a holder at the crank pulley.

I like the idea but with the amount of torque this bolt requires I don't think I will try it this time. I will definitely keep it in mind in the future

[wagons ho]

I only use the rope trick to hold up valves during on car spring removal.

[Jayfabs]

Well it’s running. I did a quick start up to check for major issues and leaks. I still have to install the new Jesus bolt. I need to make the tool.

I could hear a ticking noise from the passenger side. Hopefully it goes away. It was not super loud but there.

https://youtu.be/nsjtUx7hYzc

[JimLev]

That sounds pretty good for the first start. Usually they sound like a can of marbles on the first start.

[Jayfabs]

I only use the rope trick to hold up valves during on car spring removal.

Good to know. Thanks

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That sounds pretty good for the first start. Usually they sound like a can of marbles on the first start.

It might have sounded like that for 5 seconds but when awhile quick once oil filled the areas it needed to.

[scubajim20]

Nice work on the rebuild! You really went through it pretty quickly even with all the extra parts. Mine was definitely ticking on start up. After it warmed up I took it for a casual mile loop and when I came back it was purring.

[ross1]

For the life of me I do not understand why you guys love this V-8 so much or why you wouldn't just yank that pig out for this kind of service.
My back is killing me just looking at this picture.

[Jayfabs]

Nice work on the rebuild! You really went through it pretty quickly even with all the extra parts. Mine was definitely ticking on start up. After it warmed up I took it for a casual mile loop and when I came back it was purring.

Thanks. I had other projects inline that I needed to get to. Plus I wanted to get it done so I could get it smogged ti complete my registration. I spend about 2-3hrs after work on my projects. I was hoping the ticking will go away after a drive.

[Jayfabs]

For the life of me I do not understand why you guys love this V-8 so much or why you wouldn't just yank that pig out for this kind of service.
My back is killing me just looking at this picture.

I'm used to working in the engine bay. I was also doing this in the driveway because my other toys don't get left outside and I only have a two car garage.. I really had no idea it was going to be this much work and only bought this because I have always liked this body and I don't want to pay M5 prices.

[JimLev]

For the life of me I do not understand why you guys love this V-8

Two words...torque+6speed

[Jayfabs]

Two words...torque+6speed

unfortunately mine is a auto I am looking at e39 M5's or I kinda want a f10 pure metal M5 to replace my F10 550i M

[ross1]

Two words...torque+6speed

I know some of you love 'em. Compared to the 6 banger yeah way more torque but all that complication for how many horsepower?
I've owned 'em, still don't get it.
My hat's off to those who work on those things. You could skip rope with that timing chain.

[JimLev]

My hat's off to those who work on those things. You could skip rope with that timing chain.

290+ HP stock. A lot more with some mods.
It is a pretty long timing chain.
I find the V8 earlier to work on than the i6 but I’ve only worked on less than a dozen of them.
The i6 vanos is much easier to do than the V8 but that is generally a once in a life time job.

[Jayfabs]

Well the chain guides are done. This car has some nice torque! I did snap a 1/2” breaker bar. I hit harbor freight for a 3/4” breaker bar and a 3/4” socket set. Thank you to everyone that chimed in. Now I have to clean this car and fix some things.
59751CE0-FC36-48D9-85C7-255CAE4F8D7B.jpg

[capebmw]

Congratulations, it has been a fun project for us too! So, you aren't throwing any codes or any extraneous issues? Please keep us updated as you put mils on it .

Well the chain guides are done. This car has some nice torque! I did snap a 1/2” breaker bar. I hit harbor freight for a 3/4” breaker bar and a 3/4” socket set. Thank you to everyone that chimed in. Now I have to clean this car and fix some things.
59751CE0-FC36-48D9-85C7-255CAE4F8D7B.jpg

[CPHES]

Yeah size matters. 3/4 breaker makes life much better.

[JimLev]

Yeah size matters. 3/4 breaker makes life much better.

^yup, what he said. I put my 4 foot floor jack handle on the end of the breaker bar to torque the Jesus bolt and for pressing the vanos.

Good to hear it’s done Jay. Hopefully no CEL’s.

[Jayfabs]

Congratulations, it has been a fun project for us too! So, you aren't throwing any codes or any extraneous issues? Please keep us updated as you put mils on it .

Thanks. I have put 30 miles on it so far and no codes. I also put it through it’s RPM range and it’s runs great. The slight ticking sound went away. It drives smooth at 80 no issues that I can tell so far. I now have a lot of detailing to do. Also I have to fix a twisting seat on passenger side which I have seen the videos. The driver side seems like the twist was fixed but leans so I need to get back in and fix that. Also the windshield wiper is bowing up.

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Yeah size matters. 3/4 breaker makes life much better.

Yes it does!

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^yup, what he said. I put my 4 foot floor jack handle on the end of the breaker bar to torque the Jesus bolt and for pressing the vanos.

Good to hear it’s done Jay. Hopefully no CEL’s.

getting the last 30 degrees was a little scary. I used the 1/2 for the vanos with no problem but now I have a 3/4” setup.

So far 30 miles and no codes. We will see as time goes on. I need to go get it smogged to finish the registration. It’s super smooth and quiet! Do these cars have positraction? It seems to spin one wheel.

[JimLev]

No posi (LSD) on any E39 except the M5

[Jayfabs]

No posi (LSD) on any E39 except the M5

ok thanks.

[scubajim20]

I want to put a LSD in mine eventually but its a little cost prohibitive at the moment.

[Jayfabs]

I want to put a LSD in mine eventually but its a little cost prohibitive at the moment.

A little posi action would be fun!

[Jayfabs]

I’m back!! So after a couple hundred miles the check engine light came on with p0021. Atleast I got the car smogged before it came on.

I also just put all new power stop z26 rotor and pads on with ECS braided lines since the engine bay one was leaking.

So far the car has been a blast to drive. It is very touchy of the line which is super fun.