The long road - E34 M5 S38b36 a resurrection story

[Andy1GP]

Small update.

I'm trying to focus on the M5 at this point since I have everything here to get her up and running. Finally

Friends and duties have hindered me somewhat but such is life.

Yesterday I cleaned the block bolt holes with a compressor and vacuum cleaner. And also had to address that bloody bolt that fell down the chain guides into the sump. Struggling to fish it out with the magnetic light I removed the oil level sensor to fish from below. Still no luck. So I was kind of lost at this point.

Long story short I managed to fish out from the top after some manipulation!! Thank goodness!

Then continued to clean the pistons and sleeves again. And finally scraping the surface of the block to accept the head gasket.

Even after several carb cleaner and prepsol applications the scraper still removes a great deal of crud as can be seen by the first scrape.

Im going to strip the head and cam carrier today whilst marking the caps and shims. Install the head gasket and position the head.

I read the instructions state the head bolts need to be heated to 80 deg C and then angle torqued before and after. Giving 15min inbetween. Will investigate further first.

I am all smiles as the progress has begun toward completion and no longer stripping

 

[Peter@AEW]

You have been INSPIRED.

 

[H|TM@N]

So I assume those head bolts will go into the oven at 80°C for some cooking first?


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[Andy1GP]

The leaflet that came with the headgasket set mentioned that way of installation. From further research we found that it is torqued to 20 nm at first then angle tightened to 60 deg, allowed to stretch then angled another 70 deg.

From the advice Peter and Chris gave me I recall this method ringing a bell.

One easily forgets the vast amount of tedious and accurate work that goes into this. Cleaning the cam carrier as well as the block and head with the scraper takes a lot of time. And then removing that tedious water channel pipe from the block before locating the head onto it. Also getting the exh manifold out of the way to fit the head... you can see where I'm coming from.

Nonetheless it is a fantastic project and every step is one in the right direction and closer to the cars resurrection!

 

[Andy1GP]

Head is finally on!! Woohoo!

Proper tightening today. And then cleaning and fitting some other small parts then the cam carrier will go on once thats cleaned. Then cam timing and sprockets.

 

[WyKiD]

Great progress Andy, sure your baby will be on the road soon...:coolShake:

 

[Andy1GP]

This is why it takes so long. Cleaning is comprehensive. Removing old sealer and gaskets. Some Carb cleaner so the new gaskets seat well.

 

[Andy1GP]

Cleaned the cam box mating area on the head and cam carrier. Fitted seals so its ready to accept the cam box.

Also fitted the exhaust manifolds.

 

[Andy1GP]

First day back home from mozambique. Well day after... cleaned the water manifold and chain tensioner housing. Fitted the cams and caps. Still need to fit the cover that runs along the back of the cam carrier before I install the water supply manifold. That'll be it for today.

 

[Andy1GP]

Doing a little more work everyday I can. Feels like I'm getting pretty close but still have a ways to go. The cleaning takes a lot of time.

Fitted the agonising rear cam box slanted cover thingy.

Going to set the crank and cam timing. Fit the sprockets and chain and tensioner and set the timing with the chain tensioned in direction of rotation. Will then hand crank the motor a couple of times just to make sure the valves are clearing and for peace of mind. Before the first start attempt.

If there's time left ill fit the water supply manifold onto the head.

 

[sash]

awesome stuff andy. It takes balls to do what you are doing.

 

[Andy1GP]

awesome stuff andy. It takes balls to do what you are doing.

Thanks for the compliments Sash, however it rather takes gratuitous amounts of patience and being single. Single being the operative word here. Be very single

 

[sash]

Lol, I understand now. I am neither patient nor single.

 

[Andy1GP]

Let me share the patience that was depleted today. After torquing the cams yesterday I proceeded to fit the chain and sprockets. Only to realise the exhaust sprocket needs to be wiggled in before the cam is in position :facepalm: so this meant I had to undo the rear cover. Which is a royal PITA both ways. As well as undoing the cam caps and re torquing them all over again. Eish. The joys of doing things for the very first time...

 

[Andy1GP]

Some pics I took today setting the timing before I discovered my blunder

Aaand the blunder...

 

[sash]

small troubles in the bigger scheme of things, i thinking positive here.

 

[Andy1GP]

Did some more work today. Chain tensioner fitted and cam timing finalised. Everything seems within 1mm.

Also fitted a spacer washer in the tensioner to take up some chain slack

Did the valve clearances with he help of chris.

Fastened the cam sprockets and securing plate. As well as the distributor.

FItted the tappet cover for dust. Car is nearing completion

 

[Peter@AEW]

Where clearances out that they needed re doing?

 

[Andy1GP]

Where clearances out that they needed re doing?

Yes there are several just outside of the .33 or .28mm. One was .35 (exh) and the worst one on the intake side was .19

I will come back to the clearances later on as I would wan't to swap out the min and max one and check again.

Will probably need to get a couple anyways.

A visit will be paid to you soon Peter. You have some goodies of mine as well

 

[Peter@AEW]

Please record the numbers and clearances...