E28 - the long slog
Discussion
A quick jaunt up to Northampton this morning to collect a replacement rear door:
Five minutes later the fancy central locking mechanism was out, and it's ready to go on.
Also took these glorious seats out:
Yuk.
Found a bit of a bodge when taking the driver's seat out - looks like someone has been hacking at the thread for the front bolt. This hole:
Should look like this:
Not necessarily the end of the world, as I suspect the seats that end up in there won't be E28 items. I'm curious to see what E36 sport seats look like - if they don't look out of place then that might be what ends up in there, and the bolt pattern is completely different to E28 ones, so that hole can be welded up and new mounting points installed.
Five minutes later the fancy central locking mechanism was out, and it's ready to go on.
Also took these glorious seats out:
Yuk.
Found a bit of a bodge when taking the driver's seat out - looks like someone has been hacking at the thread for the front bolt. This hole:
Should look like this:
Not necessarily the end of the world, as I suspect the seats that end up in there won't be E28 items. I'm curious to see what E36 sport seats look like - if they don't look out of place then that might be what ends up in there, and the bolt pattern is completely different to E28 ones, so that hole can be welded up and new mounting points installed.
Bus wheel out:
Minibus wheel in:
After a retrim, obviously.
More importantly, thanks to Sniff Diesel on here, an engine has been sourced. It's not an S50 (for now), but instead an M52B28 - or in other words, the engine from a 328i. Finding an M3 lump I believe the history of at a decent price is so far proving fruitless, and whole cars aren't coming up that often either. I'll source a 6 speed box to go with the engine, then at least a swap later should be pretty straight forward.
There are two things that have to happen for this engine to work in an E28 - firstly, the sump needs swapping for an M50 one, and secondly the ECU needs EWS deleting from it. I think it will also need the secondary air pump deleted, and I've got a question over whether it needs an ABS sensor input, but I know a man who can answer those...
The trailing arms I was having issues with have been binned. Replacements are planned for collection on Sunday, with the aim of getting them fitted ASAP and the car back on the ground, ready for the engine to come out.
Fingers crossed!
Minibus wheel in:
After a retrim, obviously.
More importantly, thanks to Sniff Diesel on here, an engine has been sourced. It's not an S50 (for now), but instead an M52B28 - or in other words, the engine from a 328i. Finding an M3 lump I believe the history of at a decent price is so far proving fruitless, and whole cars aren't coming up that often either. I'll source a 6 speed box to go with the engine, then at least a swap later should be pretty straight forward.
There are two things that have to happen for this engine to work in an E28 - firstly, the sump needs swapping for an M50 one, and secondly the ECU needs EWS deleting from it. I think it will also need the secondary air pump deleted, and I've got a question over whether it needs an ABS sensor input, but I know a man who can answer those...
The trailing arms I was having issues with have been binned. Replacements are planned for collection on Sunday, with the aim of getting them fitted ASAP and the car back on the ground, ready for the engine to come out.
Fingers crossed!
Started pulling the M535i LSD apart - looks to be in reasonable condition inside. The casing needs blasting and painting, and all the seals need renewing.
For anyone who hasn't seen the inside of a diff:
And for those who haven't seen the outside:
And the all important tag:
You can just about see it says S307blahblah. BMW LSDs are marked with an S, and it's a 3.07 ratio. Should work nicely once it's cleaned up and in.
I'm still looking for a good write-up on how to change the plates in it. If I can do it myself without needing specialist tools then I'll have a crack, otherwise it may have to go to a man who can. We shall see.
For anyone who hasn't seen the inside of a diff:
And for those who haven't seen the outside:
And the all important tag:
You can just about see it says S307blahblah. BMW LSDs are marked with an S, and it's a 3.07 ratio. Should work nicely once it's cleaned up and in.
I'm still looking for a good write-up on how to change the plates in it. If I can do it myself without needing specialist tools then I'll have a crack, otherwise it may have to go to a man who can. We shall see.
Right - Sunday's update:
Fought through the snow to get to Northampton this morning to collect a pair of replacement rear trailing arms. They're not pretty, but they'll do.
To goal today was to get the rear axle on, rear struts on, front arms and struts on and then get it back on the ground on its wheels. Didn't quite happen, partly due to time, and partly because I'm missing some nuts and bolts - annoying.
Anyway, front struts on. Just need some bolts to mount the struts to the plate underneath:
Rear beam is on, driver's rear trailing arm is on, strut is on:
The thread on the bottom of the subframe mounting pin has seen better days, and needed some attention before I could get the nut on:
And for the first time in a long time, it's wearing a wheel again!
Almost looks finished
You can probably just about see the brake disc behind the wheel - it's a 300x10 E34 535i item, and these 14" steelies will just fit over it, so I can keep it mobile on these wheels until I get to the point of fitting the calipers.
My job for tomorrow involves ordering the missing bits I need, and getting the other trailing arm fitted.
I should add, this is all fitted temporarily - once the engine is out and the replacement is test-fitted, the rear end will be coming apart again so that the cosmetics can be sorted. But it'll do for now...
Fought through the snow to get to Northampton this morning to collect a pair of replacement rear trailing arms. They're not pretty, but they'll do.
To goal today was to get the rear axle on, rear struts on, front arms and struts on and then get it back on the ground on its wheels. Didn't quite happen, partly due to time, and partly because I'm missing some nuts and bolts - annoying.
Anyway, front struts on. Just need some bolts to mount the struts to the plate underneath:
Rear beam is on, driver's rear trailing arm is on, strut is on:
The thread on the bottom of the subframe mounting pin has seen better days, and needed some attention before I could get the nut on:
And for the first time in a long time, it's wearing a wheel again!
Almost looks finished
You can probably just about see the brake disc behind the wheel - it's a 300x10 E34 535i item, and these 14" steelies will just fit over it, so I can keep it mobile on these wheels until I get to the point of fitting the calipers.My job for tomorrow involves ordering the missing bits I need, and getting the other trailing arm fitted.
I should add, this is all fitted temporarily - once the engine is out and the replacement is test-fitted, the rear end will be coming apart again so that the cosmetics can be sorted. But it'll do for now...
E30M3SE said:
Get new studs for the rear beam mount, they are use once items, should be changed when you change the beam bushes.
Yep, they're on my list entitled "parts I'm sure I've ordered, but can't find anywhere", along with the bolts I needed to finish fitting the front struts today 
Four wheels on my wagon, and those wheels back on the ground.
This is still cool, right?
Back on Terra Firma, there's now enough headroom to get an engine hoist to lift the engine and box out, so will get one hired.
Next steps:
- bonnet off
- engine & box out
- remove fuel tank, fuel pumps and lines, brake hard lines
- strip underside
- send for welding to underside
- underseal like a mofo
In the meantime I'll pull the LSD cassette out of the casing. As standard it's a 3.07, but I'm thinking of swapping in a 3.23 CWP from an M3 to make it a little more spritely. The case will then go for blasting, then I can paint it and get it all refitted - new gaskets, seals and bolts arrived yesterday.
Onwards...
This is still cool, right?
Back on Terra Firma, there's now enough headroom to get an engine hoist to lift the engine and box out, so will get one hired.
Next steps:
- bonnet off
- engine & box out
- remove fuel tank, fuel pumps and lines, brake hard lines
- strip underside
- send for welding to underside
- underseal like a mofo
In the meantime I'll pull the LSD cassette out of the casing. As standard it's a 3.07, but I'm thinking of swapping in a 3.23 CWP from an M3 to make it a little more spritely. The case will then go for blasting, then I can paint it and get it all refitted - new gaskets, seals and bolts arrived yesterday.
Onwards...
I've got an M52 2.8 due for delivery once the snow has gone. I'm going to start off with that, but reserve the right to change my mind and put an S50 in at any time
Two things worry me about using an S50, though - firstly, it'll need the M50 sump to clear the steering arms. That can only run a single pick-up, which is probably fine, but not ideal. Secondly, the car won't have massive rubber on the rear, so traction may be an issue.
However, 310bhp, RWD, no TC or ABS and circa 1200kg could be fun...
Two things worry me about using an S50, though - firstly, it'll need the M50 sump to clear the steering arms. That can only run a single pick-up, which is probably fine, but not ideal. Secondly, the car won't have massive rubber on the rear, so traction may be an issue.
However, 310bhp, RWD, no TC or ABS and circa 1200kg could be fun...
Update:
Diff is almost apart - need a bigger hammer for the pinion, as it's not budging. Had thought about swapping to a 3.23 crown wheel and pinion set from an M3, but apparently one has M12 threads and one M14, and I don't fancy faffing about with it, so that's out. The LSD unit will go to a man who can for a refresh, and the case will be blasted and painted. Somehow in taking the back cover off I've managed to break the speedo sensor, so I'll need to order a replacement - £60
Some pics:
Stubborn pinion:
Grotty case:
An M50 sump arrived t'other day. Despite repeatedly saying that I need the oil pickup, there's no oil pickup. There's also no oil level sensor, so that's another £65. And then a new sump gasket, bolts etc etc.
Anywho, the sump:
The benefit of having such a small engine is that there's enough room in the engine bay to stand in while working on it.
What was this:
Got attacked by this:
To become this:
And end up like this:
So, with the engine out the subframe can come out, the fuel and brake lines can come off, the control arms can come off and the whole thing can get tidied up.
More pics for your delectation:
Right, must dash - need to hit something with my precision hammer.
Diff is almost apart - need a bigger hammer for the pinion, as it's not budging. Had thought about swapping to a 3.23 crown wheel and pinion set from an M3, but apparently one has M12 threads and one M14, and I don't fancy faffing about with it, so that's out. The LSD unit will go to a man who can for a refresh, and the case will be blasted and painted. Somehow in taking the back cover off I've managed to break the speedo sensor, so I'll need to order a replacement - £60
Some pics:
Stubborn pinion:
Grotty case:
An M50 sump arrived t'other day. Despite repeatedly saying that I need the oil pickup, there's no oil pickup. There's also no oil level sensor, so that's another £65. And then a new sump gasket, bolts etc etc.
Anywho, the sump:
The benefit of having such a small engine is that there's enough room in the engine bay to stand in while working on it.
What was this:
Got attacked by this:
To become this:
And end up like this:
So, with the engine out the subframe can come out, the fuel and brake lines can come off, the control arms can come off and the whole thing can get tidied up.
More pics for your delectation:
Right, must dash - need to hit something with my precision hammer.
Not much of an update, as I've not had time to do much.
Engine has arrived:
The M50 sump is already here, and delivered today was a new sump gasket, the correct oil pickup pipe, a new dipstick (just because) and various odds and sods:
Did some shopping yesterday, so due for delivery soon are some new rear calipers (from an E34 535i), a LUK clutch kit and service parts for the M52 (plugs, oil filter etc). This is a steel-linered block, so no Nikasil worries.
I need to pull the waterpump out and check it's a metal impellor version, and if not change that and the stat.
Also need to source a gearbox soon.
Engine has arrived:
The M50 sump is already here, and delivered today was a new sump gasket, the correct oil pickup pipe, a new dipstick (just because) and various odds and sods:
Did some shopping yesterday, so due for delivery soon are some new rear calipers (from an E34 535i), a LUK clutch kit and service parts for the M52 (plugs, oil filter etc). This is a steel-linered block, so no Nikasil worries.
I need to pull the waterpump out and check it's a metal impellor version, and if not change that and the stat.
Also need to source a gearbox soon.
Oh alright, you can have another update then. But stop the begging.
M52 wearing an M52 sump:
This won't work. Having the bowl at the front will, apparently, foul the subframe or steering or something. This is why the M50 sump is needed, as it's the other way round.
So, with the M52 sump off, you can see the next little problem - the oil pickup pipe for the M52 sump reaches to the front of the sump, and is supported by this bracket:
That bracket will foul the M50 sump, so it has to come off:
And there it was, gone.
M50 (shiny) and M52 (oily) pickups side-by-side:
Anyway, new pickup on (you need to loosen the oil pump bolts to get at one of the bolts on the pickup), bracket removed and new sump gasket resting in place:
Rather than reuse the sump bolts, I'm going to order new ones, so it's just held in place by a couple for now:
And for something completely different, I gave the throttle body a quick spray with carb cleaner and wipe:
Next job will be to tidy the garage again - with several jobs on the go at once, it's turning into disorganised chaos.
M52 wearing an M52 sump:
This won't work. Having the bowl at the front will, apparently, foul the subframe or steering or something. This is why the M50 sump is needed, as it's the other way round.
So, with the M52 sump off, you can see the next little problem - the oil pickup pipe for the M52 sump reaches to the front of the sump, and is supported by this bracket:
That bracket will foul the M50 sump, so it has to come off:
And there it was, gone.
M50 (shiny) and M52 (oily) pickups side-by-side:
Anyway, new pickup on (you need to loosen the oil pump bolts to get at one of the bolts on the pickup), bracket removed and new sump gasket resting in place:
Rather than reuse the sump bolts, I'm going to order new ones, so it's just held in place by a couple for now:
And for something completely different, I gave the throttle body a quick spray with carb cleaner and wipe:
Next job will be to tidy the garage again - with several jobs on the go at once, it's turning into disorganised chaos.
Some more presents arrived.
Service stuff - oil filter and spark plugs:
Shiny new rear calipers (from an E34 535i):
The LUK clutch kit I ordered:
Seems they spell LUK differently to me.
The engine doesn't fit on the stand with the clutch and flywheel attached, so that's a job for later. Tomorrow will be water pump, thermostat, plugs and oil filter.
That, and removing the fuel tanks, fuel pump, fuel lines, brake hard lines and anything else I can get my hammer within 6 inches of.
Service stuff - oil filter and spark plugs:
Shiny new rear calipers (from an E34 535i):
The LUK clutch kit I ordered:
Seems they spell LUK differently to me.
The engine doesn't fit on the stand with the clutch and flywheel attached, so that's a job for later. Tomorrow will be water pump, thermostat, plugs and oil filter.
That, and removing the fuel tanks, fuel pump, fuel lines, brake hard lines and anything else I can get my hammer within 6 inches of.
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