323i Which Main Bearings To Order?

[e21Keith]

Still working through the engine rebuild, but now ready to reassemble.

I ordered a set of main bearings which supposedly fit seemingly every variant of the M20 plus some M50 etc, but they don't fit my main bearing caps. Most of them are fine but the one with the thrust washer incorporated has two locating tabs while my bearing cap (like all the others) has only one locating tab.

Please can someone point me in the direction ow where to order the correct (std size) main bearing shells for my 1981 M20 323i engine?

Many thanks

[e21Keith]

The only supplier I can find who seems to provide the correct bearings (other than the main dealer who wants £300) is W+N but given their recent feedback I was hoping I could avoid buying from them.

Does anyone have an alternative supplier who can provide the correct bearings?

[Jeroen]

Do you have a BMW part no?

[Duracel79]

In the past I have carefully filed off the extra tang on full set of bearings as I got sent the wrong ones.
Didn't cause an issue with the engine build.

single to double tang seems to be an age/change-over date type thing, but now you can only easily get the later parts.

Hope this helps.

Ben

[e21Keith]

The BMW part number is not that straight forward, they sell each half bearing and thrust separately and they are colour coded with paint so there are 4 part numbers per colour x 3 colours so 12 diferent part numbers.

I could file off the second tang but the single tang that would be left is much smaller than the original so I'm not convinced it will seat properly, also one of the shells in the set I bought has no oil way, again different from the originals and if that's intended I don't know where it goes.

I'm still left wanting to get the correct bearings without spending £300 at the dealer.

[shadyracer01]

Ive checked glyco bearings online catalogue i make part number to be H023/7 description mb 1-5 , 7 ( for part 02-3646 qty 6 and part 02-3647H qty 1). I can only assume the H023/7 number is for complete set.
Hope this helps, not sure which motor factor would supply for you