Just picked up another M42 powered E30. It was a blind purchase, but we'll see how much of a gamble it was.
I knew the car had the head replaced and new timing gear associated. Once it arrived, it was started and runs great, but has a whine noise. At first we thought it's one of the accessories, but it seems to now to be the timing chain.
After a search here, it seems this is maybe because it's new timing equip. I'm going to swap to another new tensioner anyway and see if that helps.
Motor seems pretty strong, and the body is sound. If this is a worthwhile platform, I'm planning on making it a spring summer DD/weekend autox, DS machine.