BMW m42 gasket set?

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bejoe16

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BMW m42 gasket set?
« on: March 27, 2014, 06:52:54 PM »
I'm doing a BMW 2002/m42 swap, I'm new to m42s and was wondering since most of you have a massive amount of experience, what is the best gasket set for the money, for the profile gasket and chain guide, also does anybody suggest anything else to replace for maintenance. Just to keep it running a while.
1988 325is, 1973 3.0csi, 2002 m42 (in progress), 91' 535i, 07 audi a4, 82' 633csi(parts car)

SkidMark

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Re: BMW m42 gasket set?
« Reply #1 on: March 27, 2014, 11:00:21 PM »
Hello,
Congrats on your decision to do the m42 swap! Its a long road but you will be stoked when its done! Are you using the e30 m42 or the e36 m42?
I bought a Victor Reinz complete head kit on ebay for like $110 and new head bolts for like $40. It comes with everything needed to do a head gasket/profile gasket job. Even new valve seals, intake gaskets, etc...  Its OEM so no worries on quality. Don't but any other weird brands! When you tear it apart you will be able to inspect the chain guides. Mine were fine and the chains seldom go bad. Replace the tensioner with one for a newer m44. Its a better deal. Inspect ALL the vacuum hoses and lines for leaks! They crack and cause major idle issues, if they are dry and brittle just replace them.  Reassemble and you should be good to go. Let me know what trans and driveshaft you plan on using, I may be able to help. GOOD LUCK!!!  Skid...
1970 BMW 2002, 1988 BMW 325ix, 1979 BMW 320i m42 powered race car, 1969 BMW r75 cafe bike, Greasy fingers, Empty bank acct, Pissed off wife, Unhappy dog, Filthy garage.

bejoe16

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Re: BMW m42 gasket set?
« Reply #2 on: March 28, 2014, 06:06:54 AM »
Thanks for the info. I'm using a e30 m42, I'm still in rust repair mode but not too far away. (Bought as a non running with some rust issues) I think all the vacuum lines are going to be replaced, okay I'll check the chain guide, it was about a 140k mile engine so I'm not sure. So the tensioner from a m44 will work? Im planning on the stock e30 tranny and driveshaft, I think it's supposed to work I just have to mount the center support bearing further back. I also have been looking into deleting the throttle body heater because I live in the south and it never really gets cold and I would rather not have it. Are you familiar with this?.
Hello,
Congrats on your decision to do the m42 swap! Its a long road but you will be stoked when its done! Are you using the e30 m42 or the e36 m42?
I bought a Victor Reinz complete head kit on ebay for like $110 and new head bolts for like $40. It comes with everything needed to do a head gasket/profile gasket job. Even new valve seals, intake gaskets, etc...  Its OEM so no worries on quality. Don't but any other weird brands! When you tear it apart you will be able to inspect the chain guides. Mine were fine and the chains seldom go bad. Replace the tensioner with one for a newer m44. Its a better deal. Inspect ALL the vacuum hoses and lines for leaks! They crack and cause major idle issues, if they are dry and brittle just replace them.  Reassemble and you should be good to go. Let me know what trans and driveshaft you plan on using, I may be able to help. GOOD LUCK!!!  Skid...
1988 325is, 1973 3.0csi, 2002 m42 (in progress), 91' 535i, 07 audi a4, 82' 633csi(parts car)

Slowered318

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Re: BMW m42 gasket set?
« Reply #3 on: March 28, 2014, 06:35:48 AM »
I'm also curious about this M44 tensioner, over a decade of tooling on M42's and never heard of that one before.

Generally the Victor Reinz brand will do fine if you are really good at installing gaskets. They come apart easily when you have to re and re the part, especially if you use a mist of spray glue on one side. I suggest OEM gaskets in the spots that are hard to replace (upper oil pan, oil filter housing, lower intake, crank case)

SkidMark

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Re: BMW m42 gasket set?
« Reply #4 on: March 28, 2014, 08:35:56 AM »
Hi guyz,
Here is the tensioner info, hope it helps...

Timing Chain tensioner
Time = 30 minutes    Task=Easy
A low pitched rattling from the engine, which may be temperature related, usually is caused by the hydraulic tensioner used to tension the timing chain. This can be checked by listening to the timing cover with a screwdriver held against the ear, although the noise can be more pronounced inside the cabin compared to the general racket in the engine bay!

Tensioner and cap in-situ

The tensioner is located on the RHS of the head and is fitted with a 19mm head cap (see above). The job is a direct swap, takes less than 5 minutes and the part is inexpensive from BMW (~£35, $40). A redesigned part was used in the M44 and is useable in the M42:




Timing Chain tensioner part # (new type) : 1131 1 743 187
Timing Chain tensioner washer part #: 07 11 9 963 355

The swap simply requires the removal of the cap and old tensioner. I found the easiest way to get to it was from underneath with a torque wrench or extended tommy bar - but some may need to access it from above (removing the washer reservoir will help). Some oil will come out too. Take the old tensioner out from the cap and install the new one in an identical manner. Check the washer on the cap (its the same as the washer on the oil sump drain plug) and reinstall.

Start the engine and run it at ~3000 rpm for about 20-30 seconds. You will hear the noise of the chain running on the nylon guides but it will disappear. You can see in the photo how the new tensioner is compressed before use. When the engine is started, the oil pressure pushes it out.

Also see photo's on the E30 Network technical page.
1970 BMW 2002, 1988 BMW 325ix, 1979 BMW 320i m42 powered race car, 1969 BMW r75 cafe bike, Greasy fingers, Empty bank acct, Pissed off wife, Unhappy dog, Filthy garage.

SkidMark

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Re: BMW m42 gasket set?
« Reply #5 on: March 28, 2014, 09:18:05 AM »
If you are using the e30 trans you MIGHT be able to use your stock '02 driveshaft and not have to move the center support bearing. In my 1979 320i (e21) I was able to use a e30 318i 5spd trans with the stock 320i 4spd 4 bolt output flange mounted to it instead of the 3 bolt flange from e30, 4 bolt flex coupler from the 320i, and stock 320i driveshaft and center support. I stabbed the engine and trans as a unit into the car, mounted the flex coupler to trans and then I was able to determine where my motor mounts were going to live on the sub frame. Fortunately the engine was as far back towards the firewall as possible with this setup. There is about an inch and a half from the back of the head to the firewall. I then fabbed up a trans mount using some angle iron and some poly bushings. It fits in the stock trans mount "bolt slots" but is just a little bit further back. I used the e30 shifter and linkage but it sits about an inch and a half further back in the console. No biggie still shifts fine. I didn't have to buy a thing accept for new motor mounts. I used some Jeep motor mounts that I got at summit racing (they fit the bill)...  Let me know if there is anything I can do to help your swap go smooth... Skid
1970 BMW 2002, 1988 BMW 325ix, 1979 BMW 320i m42 powered race car, 1969 BMW r75 cafe bike, Greasy fingers, Empty bank acct, Pissed off wife, Unhappy dog, Filthy garage.

SkidMark

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Re: BMW m42 gasket set?
« Reply #6 on: March 28, 2014, 12:40:13 PM »
I guess the old bmw part number for the tensioner has been superseded to the new part number anyway....
11 31 1 727 767 to 1 131 1 743 187 .   You don't have to worry about the tensioner.. It will be the new style. Sorry for the confusion...  Skid
1970 BMW 2002, 1988 BMW 325ix, 1979 BMW 320i m42 powered race car, 1969 BMW r75 cafe bike, Greasy fingers, Empty bank acct, Pissed off wife, Unhappy dog, Filthy garage.

Slowered318

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Re: BMW m42 gasket set?
« Reply #7 on: March 29, 2014, 01:00:06 AM »
1 121 1 743 187 is added to my wish list. It's not often BMW redesigns parts and applies it to 25 year old cars.

bejoe16

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Re: BMW m42 gasket set?
« Reply #8 on: April 05, 2014, 05:55:30 PM »
Thanks guys I appreciate the help, I'm about to get to the engine when I get a day off. Got the Victor Reinz gasket set and  Tensioner ordered. Hopefully the chain guide is okay. Unfortunately it will be a couple months before I will be able to drop it in the car.
1988 325is, 1973 3.0csi, 2002 m42 (in progress), 91' 535i, 07 audi a4, 82' 633csi(parts car)