wtb: m42 motor for 1991 318i convertable

[declan]

Hello,new to the forumns.
I need a new motor for a 1991 318i convertable.
 The rest of the car is really nice, lots of new parts and work, unfortunetly my younger cousin cooked the motor driving back to college with a bad waterpump or radiator hose-no compression now is the report from my uncle.  So the car was given to me, i enjoyed driving it when my dad owned it and the mpg is great.

Will any of the m42 motors work or are there things specific to a 1991 manual trans convertable?

Thanks for the help.

[deansweet]

I would simply pull the head, have it checked, milled and valve reseated/replaced, replace the head gasket, water pump, thermostat, etc and cross your fingers? That's allot less work than replacing engine in my opinion.

Where are you located? I could help if close to Cincinnati/Dayton, Ohio.

[declan]

I am in St. Louis but I am willing to drive or pay shipping for a motor.  Definetly going to inspect the motor and cross my fingers but that rarely seems to work out.

[Geoff]

I agree its probably the head, but rather than cross your fingers have it checked at a reputable machine shop.  If its not cracked you are good to go, and if it is you just need to find a good head and install it, rather than doing it twice.
                                                                    Geoff