Author Topic: M42 engine interchange - E30/36 (Read 2950 times)

CU Zcar · « **on:** April 04, 2007, 10:30:01 PM »

My "new" 318i seems to have developed either a very bad valve tick, a timing guide problem, or perhaps a rod knock. At first I did not think it was the bottom end from poking around with a screwdriver to my ear, but the knock seems to be load-sensitive so until I can open things up I'm going to plan for the worst.

Anyway, if I have to find a new engine, what are my options? I'm probably not sinking hundreds into timing bits for this 180k engine. An M42 from a 1989-1991 E30 318i would be a no-brainer but if I found an E36 M42, can I assume that all the E30 accessories and manifolds would bolt up?

So much for my "car-to-get-me-through-trackdays-without-hogging-the-garage-while-I-build-my-240Z-ITS-car" :mad:

CU Zcar · « **Reply #1 on:** April 05, 2007, 03:27:01 PM »

According to a BMW mechanic I just spoke with, the accessory mounts are not the same between E30 and E36 M42's.

In case anyone wanted to know.

D. Clay · « **Reply #2 on:** April 05, 2007, 04:19:30 PM »

Quote from: CU Zcar;23024

According to a BMW mechanic I just spoke with, the accessory mounts are not the same between E30 and E36 M42's.
In case anyone wanted to know.

I think that applies to the brackets as they have some different accessories and a serpentine belt. However, I know of about 5 swaps of E36 M42's into E30's swapping all the manifolds and brackets over and 1 using the E36 accessories.
Best bet is finding an E36 totalled with no collision insurance. By it from the owner for a little more than the salvage yard will pay. He'll be happy, you get a motor, and you can sell the big parts left over like trans, differential, etc. on Bimmerforums. Sell the remains to a salvage yard for the tow charge.
Totalled E36's 318's go for $500 to $1200. Good luck is finding one hit front and rear or a rollover with no good body parts.
Keep your eyes open at body shops and wrecker storage lots.

CU Zcar · « **Reply #3 on:** April 05, 2007, 04:41:37 PM »

That's a good plan, except I live at an apartment complex. Happily, they rent garages and I have two of them. However, one is full of my 240Z shell which I'm in the process of welding the passenger floor back together. That's my "real" project. The other garage is so full of tools and Datsun parts that I couldn't fit a parts car in there. I'd get evicted if I left anything outside.

Hopefully soon I can get into a house where I can have my own salvage yard out back

I checked under the cam cover but there's not much visible there. The cam sprockets do look pretty worn but can't really tell the condition of the guides. I'm going to go buy a fresh open oil pan in a bit and see what comes out of the sump. Who knows, maybe I'm overreacting to a stuck lifter or something. New (to me) engines make new noises...

CU Zcar · « **Reply #4 on:** April 05, 2007, 07:33:07 PM »

Quote from: CU Zcar;23029

Who knows, maybe I'm overreacting to a stuck lifter or something. New (to me) engines make new noises...

I think that was the last I'll be hearing from my optimism for a while, there's a bit of bearing dust in the oil, and a second "listening" really convinces me it's a rod bearing.

Time to go shopping, I guess.