M42 to M44 help please!

[RattlyOldDT]

Hi, I've posted an intro, sorry to say my first post is asking for help!

Ive dropped a valve or two in my M42, and bought a replacement off ebay.

Well its arrived and its m44!

Keen to get it in as its my daily driver and need to know how viable it is.

I have ascertained its got a few sensors in different places, and my plan is to use the m42 inlet manifold and injectors, m42 wiring and ECU, and change what else needs changing.

I hear the crank sensor is different location, if the cable reaches will it perform the same job?

The M42 has two temp not one, can I add one to M42 or splice together?

Cam sensor is on the opposite cam, but how easy is a swap.

I have not got  M44 ecu or wiring. I have a complete m42 albeit with bent valves to scavenge bits off.

Oh and Europarts down the road...

Please help!!

Ed

[DesktopDave]

I'd like to post a disclaimer first - I've never performed this action, but here's a loose collection of thoughts that might help you out.

IMHO the least painful course of action is to leave the M42 DME and loom in the car, adapt the M44 motor to it.

I'd suspect there is a way to make the M44 crank sensor work for the M42 brain, but I'd swap that over to the M42 front-mount trigger wheel first.  I'm told it fits right on.

You'll have to sort the oil pan too.  Most M44 came with the one-piece rear-sump unit.  You'll of course need the E30 front sump two-piece installed before the motor will fit.

You'd need to move the E30 intake manifold over.  I'd also use the earlier injectors as they're both high-impedance from what I'd expect.  Cam cover is different as well, swap it.

As far as the temp sensors - is the M44 head drilled for two?  I'll check on that & edit the post.

I'd strongly consider a new clutch while I was in there...if you're planning on keeping the car.

[RattlyOldDT]

Hi! Head rebuild not gonna solve it as the piston hit the valve.

Should have mentioned its going in an e36.

The crank sensor needs a lug at the front near the trigger wheel, but the m44 doesnt have this. The head has one temp sensor, but with 4 terminals not two, so maybe something could be bodged?