1983 BMW 320i

[Happy_Dan]

Greetings.

I am a new member from New Hampshire, USA.

I recently purchased a 1983 320i from a friend of a friend. It has not run for approximately 25 years. The transmission was sold from the car several years ago so I need to find a 5 speed with manual speedo provision. That is a problem for another day as I want to make sure I can get it running first.

I first checked to make sure the engine spun freely, then checked for spark and it has spark so ignition seems to be in order.

Next I pulled fuel injectors and found no fuel from the injectors. I did not hear fuel pump run.
I pulled the internal fuel pump and hooked it to a battery and it does not work at all.

I then removed the external pump and it also is dead.

I looked in the tank and it had quite a bit of corrosion so I pulled both tanks from the car and I am in the process of cleaning and sealing them. I have orders fuel pumps, fuel pressure accumulator and a filter. When I finish the tanks, I will put it all back together and hopefully fuel distribution box will be good otherwise that will be the next project.

While I have the tanks out, I will replace the brake lines to the rear brakes. They are badly corroded so I will replace the hard lines between the two sides as well as the rubber hoses. The drums and shoes are in good shape so I reconditioned all the internal parts to the rear brakes and square that all away before reinstalling the tanks.

That is where I am at this point, hopefully I can get it running and then I will start to think about a transmission. Hopefully I can find one.

The car is in pretty good condition with no serious rust and just need some minor body work and a good polish. The hood needs a respray but not sure I will even do that. My goal for the car is to make a nice reliable driver and have fun with it.

Future plan would be to look at all bushings, control arms, suspension and really get it back to a solid, comfortable ride. I am very much open to advice, tips and tricks, ideas and opinions.

Pictures can be found here:

https://ImageEvent.com/happy_dan/dantoys/1983bmw320i

[Jeroen]

Once again, welcome here Dan! It is nice to see new members on a regular basis even though most people choose Facebook, Insta and the likes. But on an old school forum you can build a nice archive and you'll be able to find old info again!

Your 320i appears to be in a decent shape indeed and imho you're taking the right steps to get it going again, keeping my fingers crossed for the car to fire up as soon as the fuel system is put back together again... hope that fuel dizzy is not messing things up, perhaps it wants a bit of lube beforehand with our modern day fuels.

Give her a good polish, baltic blue is such a lovely colour! Hope the car will be running soon and that you'll be able to find a 5 speed box!

[nic65]

Benvenuto, molto bella la tua 320i

[Happy_Dan]

Thank you. I am well on my way. Just and FYI, I run a board that uses the same software (PHBB) so it's very familiar to me and I prefer it to Facebook, etc!

I have replaced both rear wheel cylinders and removed the bad brake lines from the rear. I to make two lines (right side hardline and middle line) and I have replaced both rubber lines. So, I am just about complete with the rear brakes.

Next in line is those fuel tanks! I have some muriatic acid and lots of small stone so I will clean them out good and reseal it. I am hunting the right lines to replace the tank and fuel pump lines. One has what looks like a special fitting on it and hopefully I can find that and replace it along with banjo bolts, washers etc. While I was under there, I cleaned up some it and coated it with rust transformer although there is very little rust. I will get a coat of pain there just to keep it solid since I live in the Northeastern USA.

If the new fuel system parts and cleaning the tank and lines doesn't work, the fuel distributor will come out and I will thoroughly clean it and replace any seals that are in there along with lines. I don't want to have to touch all that, I do want to keep the fuel injection system instead of a carb and it will be just another learning experience for me. I will be searching the forums here and hopefully find answers to questions I have.

Thanks again, happy to be part of the community and hopefully my experiences may help others.

[uwbuurman]

Tnx for the update. Most flexlines on the tank are standard size 8mm and 12mm hoses. Uou should be able to source those. The one tmhat I couldn't find aftermarket is the 14(?)mm breather hose on top of the tanks, somewhat hidden in front of the opening under the rear seat. It's only a breather hose, but it fills up as you fill the tanks all the way up tot the filler neck, hence it should be in good state.

[uwbuurman]

Oh, and my restauration is pretty well documented with pictures, most of how an e21 is build can be seen in my topic. The link below is the Dutch page, but this is in de English section my e21 323i topic

[Happy_Dan]

What a great thread that is! I read all 62 pages! Your attention to detail is amazing.

[uwbuurman]

Ah thanks. The Dutch section has the last few years also added. Need to update the English topic....

[Happy_Dan]

Just a quick update. The brake lines in the rear are all done. I made the new lines and replaced wheel cylinders and lines. They are all back together.

I am on to fuel delivery system. I am in the process of replacing both the main feed and return lines. I sourced new lines and the return line came pre bent and fits pretty well. The main feed line was not bent and I am trying to learn how to do that correctly. Not a fun job. I have a hand bender and I did on the first bend in the front.

I cleaned out both gas tanks with acid and rocks and found a few leaks. They are both in the process of being repaired now.
I have most of the other lines that go between vents, fuel pumps, filter and accumulator. I would like to replace the lines that go to the fuel distributor but I am not sure I can find them.

One issue I am having and not sure if anyone has addressed this already is that the new fuel lines do not have a nut and ferrule on the end to screw into the line that goes to the fuel pump or the front end that goes to fuel distributor line. The previous owner had cut the lines, used the part on the end with the nut and then a rubber fuel hose to patch to the new lines in both the front and the back of the car. I really don't have an issue with that on the return line but a little concerned about the high pressure feed line using rubber hose and clamps. I expect it's ok but would really prefer it to be like the original. I am going to talk to a local company about the cone ferrule and nut and maybe I can get them and do it the way it was. I'll update if I remember.

Advise and comments welcome.

[Jeroen]

Not sitting still! As for the hoses, you mean the ones with the banjo bolt connection? If NLA from BMW you may have them made by Pirtek and the likes I guess.

[uwbuurman]

Nices steps!! We'll need a bunch of pics ofcourse...