After close to 22 years without my 74 BMW e9 Coupe, I finally got it back from the body shop a couple of weeks ago. Long story as to why it's been there but the good news is, there will be another one on the road again soon, it now just needs to be put back together and the mechanics gone through to make sure its safe. I've working on several cars over the years but all Porsche's, this will be my first BMW, and although I took it apart its been 22 years and my memory, well that was a long time ago. I hope this Forum and its Community will bare with me as I'm thinking that I will have a lot of questions as I get started on this project. My goal is to get this beauty back on the road for this summer. I loved driving this car, I always got lots of comments, I can't wait. Wish me luck......kirk
Getting it Back on the Road Again
- Thread starter kys911t
- Start date
Excellent, let's see some pics too.
Here are a few pictures. I will try and post as I start the assembly. Photos were taken right after painting and right after it arrived home. It now sits next to my 73 911t that I have owned since 74. I've owned several Porsches (62 twin grille roadster, 64 SC, and 75 Carrera that won the Manhattan in Colorado Springs 1988) and this is one was my first so its a keeper. Went to Coupeking today and picked up the front adaptors for my early bumpers.
Attachments
My first question? I purchased a front and rear bumper for my car. Did this some time ago on ebay. How do I tell from what year a car they came from? I seems that the rubber that goes at the end tips are different for a 73 and all others and I want to purchase the correct ones.
m_thompson
Well-Known Member
The bumper brackets for the '73 are longer than other years so it spaces the bumpers further from the sheet metal.
If you are referring to the bumper guard rubber see the recent discussion on that topic. The `73 rubber guard has long been NLA.
http://www.e9coupe.com/forum/showthread.php?t=8529
http://www.e9coupe.com/forum/showthread.php?t=8529
Thank you. I was refering to the rubber mount at the end of the bumpers (not the ones on the guards). My question is which one of these do fits the bumpers I have. I think I understand now, I will check them tonight.
You have to look at the inside of the bumper for the mounting point, at least that is what I have been told.
jmackro
Well-Known Member
Kirk:
Dunno where in Southern California you are located, but if you are anywhere near Costa Mesa, just bring your bumpers into Mesa Performance, and ask the knowledgable people there (Jim and Spence) what you need.
Mesa is located at 2490 Newport Blvd. Even if you aren't within convenient driving distance, you can call them at: 800 221 6372
Dunno where in Southern California you are located, but if you are anywhere near Costa Mesa, just bring your bumpers into Mesa Performance, and ask the knowledgable people there (Jim and Spence) what you need.
Mesa is located at 2490 Newport Blvd. Even if you aren't within convenient driving distance, you can call them at: 800 221 6372
My car has not been sitting for about 20 years and has not be run. The gas tank had been removed and I'm in the process of installing a new one. After it is in place and I get a new battery I"m tempted to try starting it up. I'm wondering what would be the proper procedure for trying to start it. Car has Weber Carbs. Any suggestions?
JhwShark
Well-Known Member
If you have not run the car in 20 years and in addition to the new (flushed and sealed) tank and bat...I would consider this list which will/could grow:
head gasket and all obvious gaskets seals (you could do a valve job if nec)
flush all lines gas, brake, clutch
water pump and all
r&r hoses as nec
even re-build the carbs could be
...it all depends on what you have and need...there is a "waking up" routine for classic cars I have seen, if I find it I'll post it.
to me it seems that you have an early version of bumper (in fact is the only version i know and my car is from 1971)
do not attemp to start the car up before proceeding through a detailed procedure, you´d better read before act !
i can not tell you wich steps to follow in detail, but for sure, some ml oil into the cylinders through the spark´s holes, checking the water circuit, and so on must be comprised
search through the place for an adequate thread (it must be one for sure)
regards and welcome back !:-D
Bwana
Well-Known Member
You might want to replace ALL of the rubber hoses on the fuel, water, air, etc. systems. They have probably dry rotted. My car sat for 14 years or so and I'm surprised it didn't catch on fire the first few trips around the neighborhood before I changed everything out.
Obviously change the oil, filter, and coolant. A squirt of light oil in the cylinders is a good suggestion. Remove the spark plugs and spin it on the starter only (ground out the coil) for a while until you build oil pressure. You also might want to do a compression check while the plugs are out. The rings may have frozen. I've never done it but I've heard a rinse with Marvel Mystery Oil will sometimes free everything up but CHANGE IT OUT immediately after you run the engine. The stuff's mostly kerosene and won't do your engine any good if left in the oil.
Obviously change the oil, filter, and coolant. A squirt of light oil in the cylinders is a good suggestion. Remove the spark plugs and spin it on the starter only (ground out the coil) for a while until you build oil pressure. You also might want to do a compression check while the plugs are out. The rings may have frozen. I've never done it but I've heard a rinse with Marvel Mystery Oil will sometimes free everything up but CHANGE IT OUT immediately after you run the engine. The stuff's mostly kerosene and won't do your engine any good if left in the oil.
I finally got my tank installed. Did a check of fuel lines, coolant lines. Everything actually looked a lot better than I thought they would. Hoses were all very pliable and not brittle as I would have thought. Made sure all the fluids were toped off. Surprisingly I did not need much or anything. Installed a new battery. Got some gas and tried to turn it over. Got it to turn over on the first time, but just got a little blow out of the tail pipe. It seemed to want to start but would not. Spent some time looking for some new spark plugs and got them installed last night. Clean up the points a bit. I remembered one time, having another car sit for a bit and they needed cleaning too. Turned over on the next turn and it started up first time. A little rough to start but it stabilized after a minute or so. No Smoke! Big Surprise! I have gotten lucky with this one. Stopped it for now. Found one gas leak in one of the hoses to the carb so on the list is to change out these hoses. On to the next...
Its on the Road Again
Finally!! Thanks to lots of new and old friends. It's back on the Road Again. Able to make it cross town from Pasadena to Santa Monica yesterday on the 110 and 10 without any problems. What a great feeling. Still lots of work to do but at least maybe I'll see you on the Road too.
Finally!! Thanks to lots of new and old friends. It's back on the Road Again. Able to make it cross town from Pasadena to Santa Monica yesterday on the 110 and 10 without any problems. What a great feeling. Still lots of work to do but at least maybe I'll see you on the Road too.
Bring it to the SoCalVintage meet in Van Nuys on Oct 19, would love to see it.
Chris
Chris