Engine swap

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Ok, so I now am hopeful that my recently acquired coupe is near roadworthy. (To be determined) after I do a motor swap. And of course all the basics from a car that has been sitting. Plumbing/electric/brakes. Etc.
my question: I purchased a motor that came from a 1977 530 series. EFI motor. Bought from what seems to be a reputable used motor specialist. Dyno tested and even compression in all 6 and good oil pressure.. I assume it's from a 77, that's the car it came out of. In any case it's an m30. Any advice while the motor is out would be helpful. It's to arrive this coming week. I know the basics, rear main seal, pan gasket, fuel lines etc. but I don't know much about the particulars to look for in these. Fred
 
Fred- many folks would question why would you put a low compression 176hp US engine in a csi?
Do you have the 7 digit vin number off this engine?
 
and IIRC that motor is a K-jet with really crap fuel mileage. Kjet, hmmmm, widely used by the euros including Benz for many years but I suspect not really what you want.
 
I'm thinking deQuincey has a point- you are better off with at least a csi engine in a csi.
 
If the car has been sitting for a long time, it would be a good idea to check the inside of the fuel tank for rust
 
In my opinion the CSI engine isn't build able . If it is, then I will rebuild it. I think it's cracked between cylinders. It's seized, and it won't hold mystery oil on top of pistons, and the oil leaks out , down side of block and into exhaust. No it's not going through an open valve. So those are my suspicions. I know about the HP loss. There aren't a surplus of CSI motors available. This is a way for me to actually drive the car. Can't get engine number until I have it on a lift, but the head is cast 78, so it may not even be original. Fred
 
In the end I will most likely strip the car of all it's pieces and bring it back to taiga color it was originally. But there are 2 cars in front of it. And I would like to drive it for a while. I understand my compromises.
 
The early 530i engines used thermal reactor type exhaust manifolds. Those motors had a chronic issue with cracked cylinder heads.
 
In a few hours you could break down the engine and determine it's true condition.

That would be time well spent, IMO.
 
Well, I appreciate all the input. Taken with great consideration. It is my hope that the current seized motor is repairable. I do choose to now get the car moving. And driven. If the CSI motor is good I wouldn't be done with it for months, with machine shop and all.
 
matching #s...

I know that matching #s are not as important in the BMW/E9 world as in other circles but - a Taiga CSi is a rare bird and matching #s will matter some day...
 
Not k-jet

Honolulu said:
and IIRC that motor is a K-jet with really crap fuel mileage. Kjet, hmmmm, widely used by the euros including Benz for many years but I suspect not really what you want.
Click to expand...

These were all L-jet motors, and weren't horrible. Much better system than the K. Still, not an improvement over the original Euro CSi motor. Hopefully it was cheap or rebuilt to higher performance than original.
 
[email protected] said:
So with that in mind I'll change the manifolds , anything else I should look for?
Click to expand...


date of the cylinderhead and brand . .

As mentioned many of these heads were replaced because of the cracking issues . . as I recall a date of 81 or later is the better quality BMW cylinder head. Heads produced by AMC (not American Motors Corporation ;):lol: ) are of good quality and were often used by independent shops. AMC still produces replacement cylinder heads.

Mario L.
 
Mario L. said:
date of the cylinderhead and brand . .

As mentioned many of these heads were replaced because of the cracking issues . . as I recall a date of 81 or later is the better quality BMW cylinder head. Heads produced by AMC (not American Motors Corporation ;):lol: ) are of good quality and were often used by independent shops. AMC still produces replacement cylinder heads.

Mario L.
Click to expand...

yes, 81 and later have the holes instead of the bean shape water passages, those are thougher heads

as to AMC, Amadeo Marti Carbonell, is a spanish company that still exists, i checked with them for the availability of those heads for M30, if they spoke the truth there was one last head of this model available at their reception in a sort of exhibition, i bought it from them some months ago

heads from e24 and e28 cars can be used to replace that old type heads
 
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