Project: BMW E21
Discussion
Barry38 said:
Amazing project, is this the first car you are ever doing this with?
Certainly is, I've never done anything even close to this before.So, tonight I managed to remove the brake master cylinder and strip it down.
Pushrod removed:
Circlip removed (it came off at about Mach 3 tbh, nearly took my eye out.
First piston removed:
Second piston removed:
Rubber inlets and washers removed:
All stripped down and ready to be cleaned up and rebuilt:
Master cylinder rebuilt yesterday.
Pistons rebuilt with new seals:
All reassembled, ready for bench bleeding and refitting:
Wheels were flatted down, and then the final coat of base:
Then a few coats of lacquer:
Few running issues with my daily at the moment, so I've got 2 BMW's to be working on.
Pistons rebuilt with new seals:
All reassembled, ready for bench bleeding and refitting:
Wheels were flatted down, and then the final coat of base:
Then a few coats of lacquer:
Few running issues with my daily at the moment, so I've got 2 BMW's to be working on.
Great news!
The master cylinder rebuild has worked, or it certainly seems to have done. The brakes work like they used to, and a test drive confirms that the problem would seem to have been solved.
This meant I could press on with the interior, I got the waterproof skin on the inside of the doors tonight:
Then rain stopped play, so I had to call it a night.
Should make some good progress tomorrow, with a decent update to follow.
The master cylinder rebuild has worked, or it certainly seems to have done. The brakes work like they used to, and a test drive confirms that the problem would seem to have been solved.
This meant I could press on with the interior, I got the waterproof skin on the inside of the doors tonight:
Then rain stopped play, so I had to call it a night.
Should make some good progress tomorrow, with a decent update to follow.
So, the final push happened the other day.
I noticed a leak on the rear seat/carpet behind the drivers seat.
Looked up to see this:
Causing this:
That was immediately dealt with in the form of some silicone.
After that I started putting the final bits and pieces back together. Carpeted my centre console section:
I also sprayed my armrests black to match the new door cards. Left them to dry for a few days and they've come out brilliantly.
Most importantly the paint hasn't filled the "grain":
But of all the bits done recently, the best was getting some tyres on the wheels and getting them fitted
The front still needs to come down a bit, and they could do with some spacers, but I think the wheels look brilliant, very happy
So, it goes in for an MOT on Saturday, I see no reason why it shouldn't pass
I noticed a leak on the rear seat/carpet behind the drivers seat.
Looked up to see this:
Causing this:
That was immediately dealt with in the form of some silicone.
After that I started putting the final bits and pieces back together. Carpeted my centre console section:
I also sprayed my armrests black to match the new door cards. Left them to dry for a few days and they've come out brilliantly.
Most importantly the paint hasn't filled the "grain":
But of all the bits done recently, the best was getting some tyres on the wheels and getting them fitted
The front still needs to come down a bit, and they could do with some spacers, but I think the wheels look brilliant, very happy
So, it goes in for an MOT on Saturday, I see no reason why it shouldn't pass
So yeah, as some of you know, the E21 unfortunately failed it's MOT on the Saturday just passed.
Happily the issues it had appear to be sorted, and it'll be getting retested in time for Trax.
For now, a couple of photos from the other day, where the car received a nice in depth detail, finishing with a coat of Zaino Z2.
Happily the issues it had appear to be sorted, and it'll be getting retested in time for Trax.
For now, a couple of photos from the other day, where the car received a nice in depth detail, finishing with a coat of Zaino Z2.
It's been a fair old while since I've posted anything on my build thread, mainly because I haven't done a great deal to the car for a while, I've simply been enjoying it.
The other night, I headed over to a carpark with a young and very, very talented photographer, Niall Lea.
His website can be found here: http://niallleaphotography.co.uk/
And his Flickr account is here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/nialllea/
As I say, he's a very talented guy and he's a lot of fun to be around, always up for a laugh and I can't thank him enough for the photos he has done for me, which can be found below:
I have bought myself a camera and will upload a couple of shots when I get round to editing them, but they're nothing in comparison to the above work.
With regards to the car, it's due to come off the road very soon, so that I can get some work done on the engine/engine bay. So that should produce some updates!
The other night, I headed over to a carpark with a young and very, very talented photographer, Niall Lea.
His website can be found here: http://niallleaphotography.co.uk/
And his Flickr account is here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/nialllea/
As I say, he's a very talented guy and he's a lot of fun to be around, always up for a laugh and I can't thank him enough for the photos he has done for me, which can be found below:
I have bought myself a camera and will upload a couple of shots when I get round to editing them, but they're nothing in comparison to the above work.
With regards to the car, it's due to come off the road very soon, so that I can get some work done on the engine/engine bay. So that should produce some updates!
Yeah, I'm definitely a single headlight person.
Regarding the front bumper, it'll be staying off.
I don't drive it day to day, it's a weekend car and is used when I want to go for a drive.
The chances of it being involved in a small shunt are remote on that sort of driving, realistically I am more likely to have a harder crash in which the front bumper wouldn't do anything with regards to protection.
As far as I'm concerned, de-bumpered looks 1000 times better.
Regarding the front bumper, it'll be staying off.
I don't drive it day to day, it's a weekend car and is used when I want to go for a drive.
The chances of it being involved in a small shunt are remote on that sort of driving, realistically I am more likely to have a harder crash in which the front bumper wouldn't do anything with regards to protection.
As far as I'm concerned, de-bumpered looks 1000 times better.
Thanks for the kind words
There's still a fair bit of work to be doing on it, including:
- Find the leak that's causing the damp drivers floor around the pedals
- Fit the headlining
- Finish off the lower dash
- Sorting out the overheating issues
- Give the engine a bit of TLC, new gaskets, a good clean, etc
- Some minor upgrades to the M10, probably a new cam and bike carbs
- Have a look into the GAZ coilovers, as they don't go low enough at the front, where-as everyone else's do. My guess is they've been welded to the strut too high
- New wheels/current wheels refurbed properly
- S2 subframe and thicker ARB
- Polybushes
- LSD (maybe)
- 5 speed 'box
- Decent tyres
- Brake upgrade/refurb
- A few minor interior changes
- New exhaust
- Engine bay tidy-up
That's just off the top of my head, and in no particular order. I plan to do most of the above over the winter months.
There's still a fair bit of work to be doing on it, including:
- Find the leak that's causing the damp drivers floor around the pedals
- Fit the headlining
- Finish off the lower dash
- Sorting out the overheating issues
- Give the engine a bit of TLC, new gaskets, a good clean, etc
- Some minor upgrades to the M10, probably a new cam and bike carbs
- Have a look into the GAZ coilovers, as they don't go low enough at the front, where-as everyone else's do. My guess is they've been welded to the strut too high
- New wheels/current wheels refurbed properly
- S2 subframe and thicker ARB
- Polybushes
- LSD (maybe)
- 5 speed 'box
- Decent tyres
- Brake upgrade/refurb
- A few minor interior changes
- New exhaust
- Engine bay tidy-up
That's just off the top of my head, and in no particular order. I plan to do most of the above over the winter months.
So yeah, today I hired a van and drove to Wrexham, A short time later, this happened:
It's an M20B25, or in non nerd terms, the 2.5l from the BMW E30.
It's recently been rebuilt with all new gaskets and rings etc.
It'll obviously be taking the place of the M10B16 that's currently fitted to the E21, but I'm between either running it with the standard injection, or splashing out on a full 6cyl bike carb conversion from Bogg Bros, fortunately I don't need to make a decision just yet.
So yeah, things are about to go a fair bit faster
It's an M20B25, or in non nerd terms, the 2.5l from the BMW E30.
It's recently been rebuilt with all new gaskets and rings etc.
It'll obviously be taking the place of the M10B16 that's currently fitted to the E21, but I'm between either running it with the standard injection, or splashing out on a full 6cyl bike carb conversion from Bogg Bros, fortunately I don't need to make a decision just yet.
So yeah, things are about to go a fair bit faster
Time for some updates I guess, starting with the water leak that's been plaguing the car.
I took the carpet up and decided to remove the old tar on the floor of the car, which unfortunately revealed this:
Which was caused by this small hole in the top corner of the seam between the firewall and the inner wing:
So yeah, slightly annoying to find some rust. That said, I've found the leak which is great news, and the rust that I found isn't all that bad. I've got a welder now so hopefully I'll be able to put it right myself without too much work.
Anyway, moving on. I got my new 6 cyl. subframe and took it apart ready for the powdercoaters. Bolts were typically old and stuck, so the angle grinder was needed to remove the engine mounts.
So yeah, progress should begin to ramp up over January, I'd like to have the M10 out and the M20 on the engine stand before the end of the month. After that, I'll give the M20 some TLC, a few bits powdercoated/painted, then start thinking about getting it in the car.
I took the carpet up and decided to remove the old tar on the floor of the car, which unfortunately revealed this:
Which was caused by this small hole in the top corner of the seam between the firewall and the inner wing:
So yeah, slightly annoying to find some rust. That said, I've found the leak which is great news, and the rust that I found isn't all that bad. I've got a welder now so hopefully I'll be able to put it right myself without too much work.
Anyway, moving on. I got my new 6 cyl. subframe and took it apart ready for the powdercoaters. Bolts were typically old and stuck, so the angle grinder was needed to remove the engine mounts.
So yeah, progress should begin to ramp up over January, I'd like to have the M10 out and the M20 on the engine stand before the end of the month. After that, I'll give the M20 some TLC, a few bits powdercoated/painted, then start thinking about getting it in the car.
Yeah, I'll be keeping it as a standard M20, well... When I say standard, I'll probably have a chip in it from Speedtouch on E30Zone.
As you say, with standard power and torque it'll be plenty fun enough in such a light car. Power to weight will be similar to my old Clio 182 which was fast enough on the road.
Looking forward to getting it in and running, should be a cracking machine to own then.
As you say, with standard power and torque it'll be plenty fun enough in such a light car. Power to weight will be similar to my old Clio 182 which was fast enough on the road.
Looking forward to getting it in and running, should be a cracking machine to own then.
So today, BMW Car Magazine landed on my doorstep. One of the features this issue is a certain 316 restoration
I have to say, I'm really impressed by the layout and the quality of the feature, which covers no less than 5 pages! (It's my first mag feature, I'm sure you can tell!)
Anyway, a few photos to show the layout and how it all looks
I'm chuffed to bits over it, I really am!
Anyway, moving on, tonight the wings, grilles and valance came off, ready for the removal of the engine this weekend
Bonnet will come off on Saturday once my cover arrives.
Need to source a timing kit for the M20 so I can change the timing belt, and while I'm there... ensure the timing is set correctly.
More updates to come soon
I have to say, I'm really impressed by the layout and the quality of the feature, which covers no less than 5 pages! (It's my first mag feature, I'm sure you can tell!)
Anyway, a few photos to show the layout and how it all looks
I'm chuffed to bits over it, I really am!
Anyway, moving on, tonight the wings, grilles and valance came off, ready for the removal of the engine this weekend
Bonnet will come off on Saturday once my cover arrives.
Need to source a timing kit for the M20 so I can change the timing belt, and while I'm there... ensure the timing is set correctly.
More updates to come soon
This weekend I removed the engine, with the help of Jon, Christopher, Joey and Oli. Was a dream to work on, not a single nut or bolt stuck, even the manifold and exhaust came off without the slightest of resistance, very impressed.
The Saturday was a day of removing parts; prop, exhaust, loom, cooling system etc. Then on the Sunday, we set about removing the engine and gearbox.
Jon and I grabbed some photos along the way:
Then got the car wired up to a Garrett
Need to start work on the M20 (which is now on the engine stand) over the next few weeks. Want to get the engine bay tidied up too, including paint.
Exciting times
The Saturday was a day of removing parts; prop, exhaust, loom, cooling system etc. Then on the Sunday, we set about removing the engine and gearbox.
Jon and I grabbed some photos along the way:
Then got the car wired up to a Garrett
Need to start work on the M20 (which is now on the engine stand) over the next few weeks. Want to get the engine bay tidied up too, including paint.
Exciting times
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