How can I tell between an M42 and a M44 engines? [Archive] - M42club.com

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HaNasich

11-19-2007, 11:03 AM

Is this an M42 engine?
http://www.historicalarchive.bmw.com/2/wm.php?org=/data/images/image/491/00050470_m.jpg

Or this an M42 engine?

http://www.e30.kamieniwnetrze.pl/m42/01.jpg

and if the one above is an M42 engine, how come this one is an M44?
http://www.historicalarchive.bmw.com/2/wm.php?org=/data/images/image/538/00057326_m.jpg

Im asking this since today i went to see my Going-to-be engine for my car, and the engine i saw had an intake manifold like the lower two images, while the M42 im used to see has an intake from the shape of the higher image.
So which of them is an M42?

I never thought this can be so time consuming...
i got a harness, an ECU, AFM, all the wirings, but now i dont know what engine should i use.
will an M44 work with a M42 harness and ECU? can i left this matter aside?

Ron.

Jimmy

11-19-2007, 11:13 AM

The top picture is of a m42 from an e30. Intake manifold from a m42 in a e36 is different to clear the hood and some other things

haledj

11-19-2007, 11:23 AM

visually telling the m42/m44 apart is harder than telling e30/e36 engines apart. The 2nd and 3rd engines are e36 engines while the first is an e30 m42. Note the different intake manifold (the e36 has a variable length manifold system called DISA), different placement of the dipstick and different belt system.

cecotto

11-19-2007, 03:22 PM

M42 = Alluminum thermostat housing

M44 = Plastic thermostat housing.

sheepdog

11-19-2007, 03:49 PM

M42 = Alluminum thermostat housing

M44 = Plastic thermostat housing.
To expand on this...

E30 M42 pulleys are all V-belts
E30 M42 uses a front mounted sump and oil pickup, pickup hoes nearly straight down.

E36 M42 uses 1 vbelt and 1 serpentine
E36 M42 uses a rear sump and oil pickup (the pan a has long tube inside going to the back)

All intakes are different.

sheepdog

11-19-2007, 03:50 PM

Moved and slightly renamed for future reference.

HaNasich

11-19-2007, 07:03 PM

To expand on this...

E30 M42 pulleys are all V-belts
E30 M42 uses a front mounted sump and oil pickup, pickup hoes nearly straight down.

E36 M42 uses 1 vbelt and 1 serpentine
E36 M42 uses a rear sump and oil pickup (the pan a has long tube inside going to the back)

All intakes are different.

Ok,
merci beaucoup, today i went and saw what i believe to be an E36 M42 engine.
In order to place it in my E30, do i need to change oil sumps?
i have one from my current M40B16, would it fit?

Ron.