S54 Powered 323i - Duracel79 - England

Pho21_girl · Post by **Pho21_girl** » Wed Feb 03, 2010 2:11 pm

Yeah it will be but don't think we can afford any more paint now till either of us get paid...

Duracel79 · Post by **Duracel79** » Wed Feb 03, 2010 2:13 pm

Beer it is then

Duracel79 · Post by **Duracel79** » Tue Feb 09, 2010 2:26 pm

Got the engine changed at the weekend.

Out came the 2.3 on K-jet with suspected cracked head or head gasket leak.

In went a cheap E30 325 (high compression) engine I got off Ebay.

Did the water pump cambelt, light flywheel & clutch, fitted the ported inlet manifold with big bore TB.

Also fitted the Motronic from my old E30 with a 2.7 chip from Ant.

It fired up instantly first time. chased around some leaky water pipes then kept it running for about an hour, adjusting the fuel pressure. Was able to set the Air/Fuel ratio with my lambda sensor.

So my cheap engine has a nice quiet top end and sounds nice and revy too with good oil pressure

Just gotta do some mileage in it for a proper test.

Future mods will be a rebuild of my 2.7 engine, or a much bigger capacity build (3L+), but that will all take time. Maybe a WAR chip with MAF from Jimi as well, It can all get quite expensive!!

Ben

tommi_e21 · Post by **tommi_e21** » Tue Feb 09, 2010 6:05 pm

expensive but fast

--ALPINA-- · Post by **--ALPINA--** » Tue Feb 09, 2010 10:35 pm

Duracel79 wrote:It can all get quite expensive!!

But damn Worth It!!!

J

Duracel79 · Post by **Duracel79** » Tue Feb 23, 2010 2:06 pm

Mini update,

Car is running well and is being nice and reliable. Alternating everyday use with my E36.

Engine is still holding good oil pressure and not using any oil/water.
Not bad for £77 with a spare gearbox!!

Managed to find some nice smooth country lanes nearby saturday morning. Had a little blast and it all felt nice, sounding awesome.

Bring on the Ace Cafe on monday.

Ben

Duracel79 · Post by **Duracel79** » Sun Mar 21, 2010 8:00 pm

Took my 2.7 engine apart this weekend.

Found the problem!!

Big crack in the valley through 5&6 cam bearings. see pic below, the white stuff is the head fix stuff I used.

Ben

--ALPINA-- · Post by **--ALPINA--** » Sun Mar 21, 2010 9:33 pm

hahaaaaaa, common problem with 325`s, its why i have 2 885 heads logged in my shed.. you just never know mate!!!... this is when you have fit a nice 6 branch, to take the heat away from the head in order to stop this (well it does help alot)... fixable, dont worry about it and sort it!!

j

Duracel79 · Post by **Duracel79** » Sun Mar 21, 2010 10:22 pm

Yeah, I know its common, just a shame when the ports look like this

Quite a long crack nearly half the head, may not be fixable.

Jimi, Have you had any welded up before? or know anyone that can do it?

Cheers Ben

--ALPINA-- · Post by **--ALPINA--** » Sun Mar 21, 2010 11:04 pm

ben, i feel for ya mate, to see work has been done on the ports, theres a guy who specialises in allloy welding in beckton east london, now i havent been there for years presumably hes still there, but you do know its gonna cost good.. BUT if its in the bearing area then i suggest you best used a bin for that mate! i would personally get another head and bite the bullet on the ports, this geezer can do the welding on the center cracks under the cam but not on the bearing circumference.. in fact i havent heard anyone carry that work out, ive seen cracks under the cam near the water galleries which can be done, but its always gonna be in the back of your head if it goes again as its been welded... i reckon another head mate.

J

Duracel79 · Post by **Duracel79** » Mon Mar 22, 2010 2:05 pm

Got a quote today for repairing the head.

Autohead Recon
Inverness
01463 715335

£240 + £12 del each way + VAT

They used to repair 10's a week but not had one for a few years.

So I may give it a go, and I'll report the results.

BMW want £1101.92

for a bare head only with seats and guides.

Duracel79

--ALPINA-- · Post by **--ALPINA--** » Mon Mar 22, 2010 6:19 pm

goodluck with it, keep posted with results, would like to see the outcome e.t.c.

J

tommi_e21 · Post by **tommi_e21** » Mon Mar 22, 2010 7:15 pm

hope it cleans up and welds nice, sure it will be fine

tommi_e21 · Post by **tommi_e21** » Sat Mar 27, 2010 4:08 pm

after seeing that crack first hand it is lonnnnggggggggg, looking forward to seeing it fixed though, will be mighty impressive

tommi_e21 · Post by **tommi_e21** » Mon Apr 05, 2010 3:22 pm

little pic update for ben