New World Datsuns...

Head work started Friday. Sooo much to do. Cleaning took a long time. It was filthy. And at some point my friend came over so we could do a Timing Belt on his car before we took it on a trip. I also convinced him to do the front cam seals (he was hesitant), I showed him how to removed them in like 5 seconds.


This is what I started with:




Finally got it all broken down. :




Had to get creative putting the valve springs/retainers back in. Luckily with the design of the head a C clamp was able to clear the head surface and still get over the valves.




Other end of the C clamp. Custom made. Does 2 at once. These springs are tough. I could not get them to compress enough with all of my weight on it.




Ended here last night. Putting those springs back in was not fun.




Today is cleaning the Cam troughs? and cleaning out the Lifters.

Well Im an idiot. I forgot the check the head for straightness... I did check the block...

Head is warped. Well bowed. Probably could be fixed in an oven. Bleh.

Not all is lost though! My car still has a perfectly good cylinder head on it! Now to make sure only the cams are different.

Suck

Forgot to take a photo. Just need to unbolt torque converter/tranny, engine mounts, and exhaust and the engine can come out.

BMW made it nice with the transmission fluid. It doesnt run into the transmission, instead it runs to an aluminum cooling block that coolant runs through.

...Closer...

A picture because. Its lunch break time. I hurt a little. One more transmission to engine bolt left. Its hard to even get a visual on it. I think I need to lower the back of the transmission.

Taking the motor out was a tad tricky. Avoided touching the transmission mount. Stopped at harbor freight and got a load leveler, and a extended reach hinged ratchet, and a stubby e-torx socket set (impact...). Lifted the motor up a bit, removed the motor mounts, and the new ratchet and socket set worked perfectly. Just enough clearance. Then I found a M6 bolt hiding holding the engine plate to the transmission. Had to de couple the steering too.







New Ratchet! So far I really like it, especially for $26.

Made a stand for the motor so I could get it on the ground. I happened to have some wheels around due to wanting to replace the wheels on my creeper. After that I started stripping everything down that I needed to. Because I need the cylinder head and the front timing cover from it. Tomorrow (or Today as you are reading) I need to remove the timing chain setup, cylinder head, and front timing cover.

Then its time to start the build of the 3.0. First up, install timing cover, and then build the cylinder head. 3.0 valve springs and cams.

When in doubt, I am using the 2.5 stuff, because I know everything is working on it.

So did it turn out that the heads are the same and cams are different?

Cams and valve springs are what is different.

Lunch break update.

Ew goo. This is after some cleaning.



Timing chain setup removed.



Head removed



And timing cover removed.




Timing cover has been cleaned. I think I am done with the block, save for maybe pulling off the tensioner pulley.

Keep it up and I'll just sit here on the couch and live vicariously through you. Barely got above freezing here today.

I then started cleaning everything. Head is clean. Man I should have done an oil change... so much sludge. Timing cover is on. Really didnt take anymore pictures, because its a lot of whats seen before, and my hands are wet from cleaning.

But I did snag this video of how I clean my exhaust valve stems.



Warning, annoying brushless drill sound.

What is that, sand paper?
What would happen if you used the drill and a bench wire wheel or wire brush(brass?) if no wire wheel?

No, that is a razor blade. A wire brush takes too long. I don't have a wire wheel readily available to try. This is really fast considering the amount I am taking off.

That surprised me how easy it came clean with just a razor blade. I remember cleaning SBC valves that had 1/2" of carbon at my uncle's shop on his bench grinder with a wire wheel. I'd be covered in black soot.

You have plans to deviate from BMW's official oil change interval in the future?

Oil change will do be the same, already modified. BMW says 15k, I do 7.5k. I just skipped my last oil change, probably about do for the next. I knew this motor was coming out, just didnt expect to be using so much of it.



Also I got the head assembled today. And I put it on the block.

And for the major suck. Pulled threads in the block. Torque sequence is 40NM, 90 degree, 90 degree. All did the 40NM fine, all did the first 90 fine*, very first bolt for the second 90 stripped...

* upon head removal, I noticed that another thread may have started pulling right at the end of the first 90.

SO,

Do I swap the crank/rods to my 2.5 block and hope it doesnt do the same thing?

Do I throw in timeserts on this block?

Are the headbolts still good? Technically I never did the second 90 on any of them, so I didnt torque to yield.

I have another headgasket.

FUCK.

Bolts aren't stretched yet and should be fine. I'd insert the 3.0 if it were me. Save the 2.5 for plan B.
Major suck, indeed.

Time Serts ordered. Ill get them Friday.

First day back at work today. Stayed late. Made some drill bushings/guides, and a tap guide. Tomorrow Ill make a plate.

Eh I lost a day. Depending on how fast I can get the motor in, I may or may not be able to fire it up Sunday night.