1980 BMW E26 M1
Discussion
Started improving the heat shielding in a couple of places.
First, the top of the engine cover over the exhaust, there are just two small pieces of heat shielding on the larger beams
After even quite a short drive the smaller parts were getting exceedingly hot. Far too hot to touch and hot enough for the fibre glass to become quite soft and floppy! You can see in the picture above that the paint was starting to discolour because of the heat.
I bought some Zircoflex 3 self adhesive heat shield and applied a double layer, in theory that should reduce the temperature by about 75%.
Next up was the bottom of the well for the toolkit. Basically nothing on the outside, even though it's right above the exhaust. There is a piece of heat shielding inside, between the fibreglass and carpet, but it's not surprising the toolkit gets very hot (the handle of one of the original screwdrivers melted!).
I stuck a single layer of Zercoflex 3 on to it, the adhesion is not great due to the rough surface, but I squeezed it in the gap where the pop riveted rear part of the wheel arch liner is attached and that helps hold it on quite firmly and as the Zircoflex is quite stiff it should be OK I think.
Finally I used the last of the half sheet of Zircoflex on part of the main chassis that is very close to the exhaust and has no heat shield.
Next steps will be to remove the boot floor and partition between the boot and engine bay and put a layer of Zercoflex over the existing heat shield material. I'll probably need a couple of full sheets to do that.
MOT time on Monday, after that an oil change and swap the original mild steel oil tank for the new stainless one. Condensation forms on the relatively cool filler neck and dribbles down into the tank, the tanks then rusts from the inside out with flakes potentially ending up in the oil. I've removed the forward rear wheel arch liner, the lower retaining piece and the gaiter around the filler pipe and dip stick in preparation.
The new tank waiting to go in
First, the top of the engine cover over the exhaust, there are just two small pieces of heat shielding on the larger beams
After even quite a short drive the smaller parts were getting exceedingly hot. Far too hot to touch and hot enough for the fibre glass to become quite soft and floppy! You can see in the picture above that the paint was starting to discolour because of the heat.
I bought some Zircoflex 3 self adhesive heat shield and applied a double layer, in theory that should reduce the temperature by about 75%.
Next up was the bottom of the well for the toolkit. Basically nothing on the outside, even though it's right above the exhaust. There is a piece of heat shielding inside, between the fibreglass and carpet, but it's not surprising the toolkit gets very hot (the handle of one of the original screwdrivers melted!).
I stuck a single layer of Zercoflex 3 on to it, the adhesion is not great due to the rough surface, but I squeezed it in the gap where the pop riveted rear part of the wheel arch liner is attached and that helps hold it on quite firmly and as the Zircoflex is quite stiff it should be OK I think.
Finally I used the last of the half sheet of Zircoflex on part of the main chassis that is very close to the exhaust and has no heat shield.
Next steps will be to remove the boot floor and partition between the boot and engine bay and put a layer of Zercoflex over the existing heat shield material. I'll probably need a couple of full sheets to do that.
MOT time on Monday, after that an oil change and swap the original mild steel oil tank for the new stainless one. Condensation forms on the relatively cool filler neck and dribbles down into the tank, the tanks then rusts from the inside out with flakes potentially ending up in the oil. I've removed the forward rear wheel arch liner, the lower retaining piece and the gaiter around the filler pipe and dip stick in preparation.
The new tank waiting to go in
I can see why you would want to fit that heat shield! I think I'd have a few sleepless nights with the fibreglass being in such close proximity and getting so hot. Have you had a chance to see how effective it has been?
The oil tank looks like a nice upgrade too. Did you have it made or are they available now?
The oil tank looks like a nice upgrade too. Did you have it made or are they available now?
I'm quite surprised that BMW don't support the older cars very well. The bikes have a really good spares backup, I can get almost anything for my 85 K100 from the main dealer within a couple of days (at a cost).
Have you considered ceramic coating or wrapping the exhaust if temperatures are an issue?
Have you considered ceramic coating or wrapping the exhaust if temperatures are an issue?
Not taken the car for a significant run since fitting the heat shield, but it can't be any worse!
I do have plans in hand to Zircotec the manifold, the main problem could be getting it off, or rather getting it back on again after taking it off. The gaskets that go between the manifold/head and manifold/rear exhaust section are, surprise surprise, NLA. So if they break while removing the manifold there could be a problem.
The oil can is OEM, they had them re-manufactured in stainless due to the corrosion issues. You can see the part number and a serial number on the sticker on the filler neck. As it's stainless they come unpainted, but I had it painted to match the original, the P/N sticker was masked off. I've heard from a couple of places that BMW dealers should refuse to do an oil change if the tank has not been upgraded.
I do have plans in hand to Zircotec the manifold, the main problem could be getting it off, or rather getting it back on again after taking it off. The gaskets that go between the manifold/head and manifold/rear exhaust section are, surprise surprise, NLA. So if they break while removing the manifold there could be a problem.
The oil can is OEM, they had them re-manufactured in stainless due to the corrosion issues. You can see the part number and a serial number on the sticker on the filler neck. As it's stainless they come unpainted, but I had it painted to match the original, the P/N sticker was masked off. I've heard from a couple of places that BMW dealers should refuse to do an oil change if the tank has not been upgraded.
Speed addicted said:
I'm quite surprised that BMW don't support the older cars very well.
It's such a lottery with the older models now and many parts prices appear to have doubled (or more!) overnight. That said, it's always worth checking with main dealers first as there are lots of traders asking silly money for parts on eBay etc. There's a pair of E30 M3 front wings for £750 the pair, when new from Ocean BMW they're less than 600! It would be a real shame is wonderful cars like this M1 couldn't be used because of the lack of parts support from BMW.
stevesingo said:
Have you tried S14 manifold gaskets?
M635CSi and E34 M5 are probably similar if not the same for the gaskets that go between the head and manifold. You can get these from ebay, no idea how good they are http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/New-BMW-e26-M1-e34-M5-e2...
From bmwfans.info
E26
http://bmwfans.info/parts-catalog/E26/Europe/M1-S3...
States Pt No 11 62 1 312 961 for E26 manifold gaskets
http://bmwfans.info/parts-catalog/E30-2-doors/Euro...
States Pt No 11 62 1 312 961 was replaced by 11 62 1 312 992
So you will be good with S14 parts which I believe are still available, even the nuts are the same.
E26
http://bmwfans.info/parts-catalog/E26/Europe/M1-S3...
States Pt No 11 62 1 312 961 for E26 manifold gaskets
http://bmwfans.info/parts-catalog/E30-2-doors/Euro...
States Pt No 11 62 1 312 961 was replaced by 11 62 1 312 992
So you will be good with S14 parts which I believe are still available, even the nuts are the same.
silentbrown said:
I guess that manifold is the stock part. Is that a spare, or are they prone to failure in some way?
Yes, it's New Old stock. I'm not aware of any tendency for them to fail. They are NLA from BMW and I think it's worth getting parts that are NLA just in case. My plan for the manifold is to get it coated in Zircotec and the swap them, keeping the one on the car original as a spare.
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