Anyways, I recently purchased a 1980 320i 5-speed with 224,XXX miles on it. Seen it's purchase, I have been searching for another engine to rebuild and install. I've scoured several websites trying to answer my question, I'm wondering if a engine from a 1984 318i fit my in my e21. I do know that they are the same engine number (m10b18), but is the bell housing different between the e21 m10 versus the e30 m10?? I've read that the motors are exactly the same, the main difference being that a new m10 has fuel injection versus being mechanically injected. My other question is regarding the injection system itself... can one just switch the ports to be mechanically injected versus electronic? I know this is possible on older watercooled vw engines, but I've never done it on m10 engines (or any bmw engine for that matter).
My thought was to buy another engine (and depending on the condition) and just swap it in over a weekend. If not, I will most likely be posting a thread for my car for your viewing pleasure.
Thanks to everyone for their inputs.