JOLLE21 - M42 Swap - 1980 320i - E21

[jolle21]

What's up guys,

Thought I'd document my build on here since I'll be swapping an M42 into my 1980 320i (e21 - M10b18).

Guess the best way to document this build is with pics;

The project;

Car: 1980 BMW 320i
Current Condition: Not Running
Mileage: 107k




The engine;

Donor Car: 1991 BMW 318iS
Current Condition: Runs
Mileage: 170K




I'd like to rebuild the engine, but it might just come down to a light rebuild or heavy refresh, however you want to take it. All depends on how much the warden -- ahem, my wife allows me to spend.

Definitely updating the timing components, resurfacing the block, and would like to invest in M50 360* thrust bearings.

Hopefully I can start dismantling the motor this weekend and get to the juicy stuff.

More to come...

[jolle21]

No major updates, but I took the M10B18 out of the e21. Need to prep the engine bay and modify the subframe so that the M42 can be slipped right in.

Hopefully this weekend I can get some time to see how notoroiously destroyed the timing compenents are, if they are that is. I have a feeling the previous owner didnt upgrade these parts.

Thanks you to those following this build. It'll get exciting soon.

[jolle21]

Got a chance to breakdown the important part of this build, the almighty M42B18;




Slightly damaged timing chain rail (driver's side), definitely replacing it;


I'm not sure if a 360* main thrust bearing upgrade was done, it looks like it, but not certain yet.




Dirty pistons. Going to clean them up to see if there is any damage, doesn't seem like it, but only time will tell (next week to be exact)



Cylinders seem to be fine. No "scaring" from what i can see.



The head also seems fine, I am going to take it to a local machine shop for a professional inspection.






Should have more updates soon, but here are pics of my other mission; engine bay clean up and wire harness 'retape'

[jolle21]

Been a busy month. Helping a friend tune his Miata took up 2-3 weeks of essential M42 time.

Nothing major, but thought I'd place an update.

Since budget is limited to what I can sneak out without the wife knowing and being that forged pistons were definitely a no-go, i took some time to clean up the piston components. As you may notice from the previous pics above, there was heavy carbon buildup. The pistons were almost black in color....well, after hours in Chem-Dip, we have this;





I think this is as far as i will go with the carbon buildup.


So clean!






I'm going to end up using these components, but I will definitely be upgrading the thrust and rod bearings. Next update i hope to have nice head job story for you    

As for the car, I bought some e21 323i rear trailing arms to convert to disc brakes. They will be upgraded to e30 discs and calipers, so I'm excited about that.

Stay tuned...

[jolle21]

Took the head for resurfacing, valve job, and pressure test.













Also block sanded the engine block, cleaned it up, flushed the water jackets, and painted it.



Here's a mock up;





Have a few more parts to get; ARP head bolts, driver side timing rail, lower timing rail, M50 main thrust bearings, rod bearings, water pump with metal impeller, updated oil pressure relief valve, lower gasket kit, throttle cable bracket, cooling/vacuum hoses (mess under the intake) and whole lot of hardware.

Timing cases (upper/lower), engine mounts, intake manifold, valve cover, oil filter housing, oil pans (upper/lower) have all been cleaned and painted. Timing case has been cleaned.

More updates coming soon.

[jolle21]

Been so busy with other things...I finally had time to post something...if anyone is following my build, sorry for the delay. I don't have anything cool, but I am almost done with the M42...



















In order for me to spend time with my build, i bought the wife a 2014 320i and the son an X5 (he's 3...)





More to come...still waiting for parts in the mail...damn backorders!!!

[keflaman]

Glad to see you're still at it and making progress. What are you doing for a front subframe?

[jolle21]

Glad to see you're still at it and making progress. What are you doing for a front subframe?

Keflaman, I wanted to respond to you so bad, but I wanted to have pics ready before I did. I'm terribly sorry for the delay in response.

Regarding your inquiry;

I needed to mod the e21 subframe, so I had to cut the 'horn' you see below;




I finally got a chance to go to my buddy's shop and weld on mounts;





This project was suppose to be a track beater, but the engine refresh came out so good that i decided to clean up the engine bay so that the M42 would have a nice little home;

BEFORE;


AFTER;


Lots of Purple Power, scrubbing, sanding, and spray can primer. Was up from 10pm-3am that day.

I will be getting a hold of a 3.91 LSD very soon. once i do i can complete my rear end. I'll be using the e30m42 driveshaft and getrag.

I'm going to push the engine as far back to the firewall as i can. I might have to mod the shift linkage slightly.

I still need wheels and suspension, the old stuff was recently sold, so I basically have a shell on jacks.

I'm hoping to get some time in the next few days. With work slowing down, i can stay up later and work on the car.

I'll have another update soon!

[DesktopDave]

This is awesome. I just love to see a car coming together.

Thanks for the subframe pics too - that's great reference info.

[keflaman]

Glad to see you're still at it and making progress. What are you doing for a front subframe?

Keflaman, I wanted to respond to you so bad, but I wanted to have pics ready before I did. I'm terribly sorry for the delay in response.

I appreciate pictures

[Codye30]

I love builds like this. Great job cleaning up the engine. It looks brand new!

[jolle21]

Got some parts this weekend that will help finish the build;




Custom Billet Aluminum Differential Hanger with Urethane Bushings. This will help the weak designed, metal stamped hanger that originally was used on the E21.




Ground Control Coilovers, Koni Sport Yellow shocks, and Eibach springs. Waiting for camber plates.




Euro 323i front calipers with vented, cross drilled rotors.




Also working on rear disc brake conversion. Using E21 323i rear trailing arms with E30 325i calipers and discs.




A 3.91:1 LSD will go great with the M42.




And with a multitude of projects, I'm also working on stripping the interior.



Next update, I should have the car put together.

Bye folks!

[DesktopDave]

Thanks for the updates - your components are first-rate picks!

Say, I have a line on a pair of E21s...and a spare M42...

What am I thinking?!? I don't need any more projects, that's for sure. 

But...you're making it look so easy...

 

[jolle21]

Thanks for the updates - your components are first-rate picks!

Say, I have a line on a pair of E21s...and a spare M42...

What am I thinking?!? I don't need any more projects, that's for sure. 

But...you're making it look so easy...

 

Do it Dave!! I put the engine in last night. My hands were too dirty to take pics, but I got some in this afternoon.







I have a lot more work to do, but the biggest task is out the way.

[DesktopDave]

Now that's some progress! I'm jealous of your sunshine and your little car too! Up my way, everything is steel gray for four solid months.

I just picked up another project - an old motorcycle - so any E21/M42 stuff will have to wait. Once I flip the bike (it's an old Kawasaki Eliminator 600) I'll have enough time (and maybe money) to do an E21 318iS. It'll also depend on the levels of rust and decay I discover inside my antiques.