Crank Seal

[dinu.negrean]

Hey guy,

Long time no posts, but I have been away with work so now I finaly have the time to take the engine apart, and we all love to do that.

Right now I am doing my homework and ordering the parts. The main plan is to replace the head with a rebuild one. I sent it to the shop today, they are going to run the tests to chek if it's straight surface, cracket, valves, etc. and then start the job.

I am changing every gasket and seal, of course and it seems I'm stuck and I have no documentation on replacing the front crank seal. I took the bottom timing case from the old engine and the seal to see if I could take it off. But it's not only stuck, it seems cast-on. Do you have any idea on what is the procedure to replace it?

I would apreciate the help, I will keep you posted with the work and pictures. I sent to the shop, along with the head, the top engine cover and the timing upper cover for professional cleaning, i'm really curious how it's going to come out. Before replacing the seal, will also send in the bottom timing cover.

So for now I would apreciate a tutorial on pdf or some link to it with the front crank seal job.

Cheers!

[monko141]

First, if the head needs to be shaved, you need to have the upper timing case cover mounted so it gets shaved the same amount as the head.
As for the crank seal, you need to get one of these http://www.google.com/products/catalog?q=seal+puller&oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&um=1&ie=UTF-8&cid=8473264954759741309&ei=X2psTKjKB4rWtQP02vScCw&sa=X&oi=product_catalog_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CCQQ8wIwAA#  
So are basically trying to do all of this with the engine still in the car?

[otoolb]

I know this isn't the thread topic, but I would disagree about having the timing cover shaved as well.  It is a good idea, but I wouldn't put it at the level of *need*.  Do it if you can, but if you can't I don't think it will be that big of a deal.  

If you look at the design of the timing cover and the install procedure, it seems like BMW already anticipated this situation.  1) The slotted the mounting holes in the timing cover so that it can slide up and down relative to the head.  2) they used a rubber gasket on the valve cover to take up some of the step.  3) they have a specification for min head height.  

Just make sure that when you install the head, you tap the timing cover down to flush before you tighten up the bolts on the cover.  

Oh yeah, and the disclaimer.  I may be wrong.  I am no expert, this is just the way it would appear to me with the information that I have available.  I am doing my first rebuild.  I didn't have the machine shop plane the parts together and I am not concerned.

[KenC]

Pull the old front seal with a pick. Or you can press it in.

You can tap the new one in with a socket and hammer

[dinu.negrean]

Update

So, look like I started the week nice, with some goodies on my hands. Got the head back from the shop, tested on the pressure table for cracks, flatten the surface, new valve seals and guides, and valve seats job done.

The head was pretty straight, but the valves were loosing compression. Here you have some pictures:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/47779682@N05/4920638291/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/47779682@N05/4921232738/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/47779682@N05/4921232266/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/47779682@N05/4920632161/

Also got the head bolts, Erling 12.9
http://www.flickr.com/photos/47779682@N05/4920636397/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/47779682@N05/4920634503/

I have sent the covers for cleaning and degreasing, here's the result (I am still considering black paint on the upper cover):
http://www.flickr.com/photos/47779682@N05/4921233776/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/47779682@N05/4921235896/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/47779682@N05/4921232506/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/47779682@N05/4921234204/

And today I also got the exhaust manifold bolts, so I fitted them. If you wonder what is the easyest way to do it, look at this simple method, for those of you who don't know.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/47779682@N05/4920632383/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/47779682@N05/4920637993/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/47779682@N05/4921234520/

Still waiting for the Goetze head gasket, and the rest of the small gaskets to arrive.

I'm on doubt regarding the oil. So far I have had good experience with Castrol Edge 10w 40. What are you using?

I will keep you posted as the work makes progress.

[dinu.negrean]

Update
Some more parts arrived today.:

DIY shortshift:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/47779682@N05/4929248818/

Head cover threads repair kit:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/47779682@N05/4929248926/in/photostream/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/47779682@N05/4928654039/in/photostream/