My car 318 76 model converting to 323i

[Atle_323i]

Just for mine brain, why change the sprockets?
Is there difficulty in getting the correct timing belt?

viewtopic.php?t=28353

It started with this thread. And 127 tooth is cheaper as a kit compared to the 110 tooth. And I thought why not do it. It cost me about 120 euro in parts, so no big deal. And it's easier to do it now before I put the engine in, than after.

[Jeroen]

Fully agree. At some point, I believe around 1984, there was a recall/update on all early M20 engines to convert from square teeth timing belts to rounded teeth examples, and even though most engines did receive this update, there always are a few that missed this.

The reason for this recall/update probably is that the rounded teeth work smoother, are less likely to cause issues if for some reason the tension on the belt is not appropriate.

[polov8]

The reason for this recall/update probably is that the rounded teeth work smoother, are less likely to cause issues if for some reason the tension on the belt is not appropriate.

This seems very likely. I had an old mk2 Polo and the water pump pulley (driven by the cam belt) was quite soft metal and one edge of the teeth wore to quite a sharp edge which ate the teeth on the belt to the point they were only 1mm wide!

To say I was lucky to find this before I had a smooth belt and infinite cam timing is an understatement!

The round tooth belts and pulleys mesh together more smoothly and eliminate this possibility.

[Wilmo]

I’d fit a chain.

[Jeroen]

[Smartie]

Thanks for the info. Good to check.

[Atle_323i]

Winter is here, and my car is finally parked inside a cold garage, snow is outside. Time to dismantle the car and prepare for inline 6 engine, and wire harness from my donor 323i.

Still alot more to do before the engine is out, but getting there soon I hope

[Atle_323i]

I´m thinking about getting smoked headlights for my car, from VW golf/jetta type 1. As my car is white and black theme.
What do you guys think about using smoked headlights?
Is it a no go, or cool?

I have to modify the brackets etc to make it fit like the original headlights, but I think it is minor effort to make them fit.


https://www.ebay.com/itm/295259334592

[Jeroen]

Ah yes, the big conversion is starting now! Lots of success, and keep us updated.

As for the headlights, even though I'm a relative originality freak but I can imagine this is a nice way to personalize the car, and it will fit your plans really well. So why not?

[polov8]

Not sure about the smoked headlights, but I have mk1 Golf Headlights on mine, it was a relatively straightforward process.

[Atle_323i]

Minor update.

Finally, only engine left to do...

I might do a repaint in the engine bay, the previous owner didn't do a good job painting it. He did the paint job without taking out the engine, so it's not perfect.

I did a order on those smoked headlight, not 100% sure if I'm going to do it....

[Jeroen]

Good clean basis mate!

[Atle_323i]

Engine is not out yet, due to other things to do at this time of year. It´s christmas time, so family is taking up more time, so less time to work on the car. But I bought a pair of "used" headlight frames, which looked just like new, I just painted them abit, since they had some scratches here and there. I also bought new adjuster screws etc for the headlights. I want to continue with single headlights, as I like it.

But hopefully I will take out the engine tomorrow, then next year it´s full steam ahead for the spring to be done as soons as the winter let go

Some pictures from the headlight project.















A picture with the VW smoked headlight next to the BMW headlight.

[Jeroen]

Nice attention to detail!

[uwbuurman]

How did you work out that exhaust? I am hoping for the pre production 323i exhausts, both inwards, like you'd planned. That would be so cool!!

And indeed, great details! Love to see how those smoked headlights will look in that stunning white e21.