Author Topic: M44 timing case cover on E30 M42?? (Read 13343 times)

MikeDE · « **Reply #15 on:** May 26, 2011, 05:00:32 PM »

I will have an update this weekend sometime, and I will post a link to my build thread on R3V. But you clever guys should be able to find it seeing as how I have the same username over there as I do here.

I bought all new components for under the cover, including an oil pump and pump cover, an M50 lower half thrust bearing to compliment the original, and a bunch of other stuff.

Check back soon.

bflan2001 · « **Reply #16 on:** December 20, 2011, 08:27:31 PM »

Ok I'm confused once again by conflicting information on this swap. First, in the parts list above, the M42 oil pump rotor & cover are listed. But I read that you need to use the M44 rotor and cover because it's thicker, and the M42 will not fit. What's the real deal? And second, the parts list also says you need the late model M42 tensioner and associated hardware, but the tensioner goes into the upper cover which you don't change, so why would you need to change to the later tensioner?

bflan2001 · « **Reply #17 on:** December 23, 2011, 12:18:19 PM »

DesktopDave · « **Reply #18 on:** December 23, 2011, 12:31:56 PM »

I'm not sure about the oil pump, but the later model tensioner is a BMW production line upgrade and supersedes all older part numbers for M42 & M44 motors. They changed it to a slightly longer model because the chain can stretch beyond the adjustment range IIRC. The info isn't wrong, just confusing.

bflan2001 · « **Reply #19 on:** December 23, 2011, 01:48:36 PM »

ok, thanks dave!

i did some research on the oil pump rotor and cover and i'm even more confused now. pelican parts doesn't even list the m44 rotor set. even if you look up a car with the m44, it only shows you the m42 rotor. so i pulled the m44 part number off realoem and plugged it into pelican, and they do sell it but it's a special order part. that leads me to believe that the m42 and m44 rotors are interchangeable, but who knows. hopefully someone will chime in here.

locknload · « **Reply #20 on:** December 31, 2011, 10:10:01 PM »

Is there some exterior identifier that would indicate that the timing case is either M42 or M44 without opening it up?

bflan2001 · « **Reply #21 on:** January 01, 2012, 12:04:15 AM »

The outer covers are the same so there's no way to tell without pulling the lower cover. The change took place in 9/93 so if your engine was built after that you have the updated guide.

locknload · « **Reply #22 on:** January 04, 2012, 10:04:56 PM »

MikeDE, did you ever figure out the oil pump issue? Do you have to use the M42 pump?

bflan2001 · « **Reply #23 on:** January 10, 2012, 12:19:46 AM »

I'd like to know the answer to that one too if anyone knows.

locknload · « **Reply #24 on:** January 10, 2012, 10:23:56 AM »

I tracked down the answer on another website. Essentially, MikeDE discovered that his timing case cover was in fact, a late model M42 that was covered by the factory design update, so it was intended to use the M42 pump. It was the introduction of the M44 that incorporated the updated M42 deflector design and added the increased oil pump capacity. Bottom line, if you know your case came out of an M44, use the M44 pump. If it came out of a post-design change M42, use the M42 pump.

MikeDE · « **Reply #25 on:** January 10, 2012, 01:18:30 PM »

EDIT- Thanks locknload^, I wrote the reply before I saw yours.

Quote from: locknload;109390

MikeDE, did you ever figure out the oil pump issue? Do you have to use the M42 pump?

Quote from: bflan2001;109535

I'd like to know the answer to that one too if anyone knows.

Read thru the build thread, I explained what happened after I did some research.

You have the standard E30 M42, then you have an early E36 M42, then the M44.

The early M42, till about 09/1993 used this timing case, #11141727191, with the idler gear. Oil pump #11141714611(the thin one)

The E36 M42, from 09/1993 till 09/1995, used this timing case, #11141739699, with the deflection rail. Oil pump #11141714611(the thin one)

SOOO the M42B18's used (2) different timing cases BUT the same oil pumps.

The M44 uses the thicker one. I bought that one first b/c I thought I had an M44 case at first glance.

Quote from: locknload;109541

Bottom line, if you know your case came out of an M44, use the M44 pump. If it came out of a post-design change M42, use the M42 pump.

Even if you don't know if it's a late M42 or M44, the body(the outer part) of the pump must sit flush with the case when installed. Too high or too low, it's wrong.