Getting this 3.0CSi back on the road

[Gransin]

Summer went by, and I managed to get some kilometers on the coupe.
At first I had some problems with the ignition, but that was solved by putting in another ground strap to the engine. After getting that fixed, it didn't take long before the car seemed to run out of fuel and the fuel pump started having strange noices.

This is what I found when I removed it:

Hmm, what's that. Lets check some more things.

Yep, seems like the brand new BMW fuel tank had some paint (???) on the inside that we didn't notice when we installed it, the fuel had dissolved it. We were able to get all of the crap out of the tank.
So I replaced the fuel pump, both filters and added another pre-fuelpump filter just for good measure in case there would be more in the tank that we couldn't see.

After that it has been smooth sailing!
Both me and my fiancée has been enjoying the coupe, it's surprisingly modern and easy to drive.

But now it's time for garage season, don't know how much I'll be tinkering with it this coming winter, we'll have to see how much spare time I can get.
Was out driving one last time this week, and for the first time I also had the camera with me, took some night shots.

 

[Keshav]

your expression of love for the E9 is that what most of us feel too. And it stays the same decades later.
Knowing you have such a cool car waiting for the next spring to come, is an unbeatable feeling.

We are all blessed!

Keshav

 

[Gransin]

Other projects have been going on, my dad found a -71 Peugeot 304 in a shed where it had been sitting 20 years and got it dirt cheap, so he's been getting it back in driving condition.
One piston + sleeve was destroyed but managed to replace them, no easy job working on these French engines... Notice the gearbox + diff location.

Finally registered and running:

Another project was making myself a workbench, ordered some full-lenght 50x50x2mm profiles and started sawing.

A nice puzzle

Started welding it together

The boss came and had some opinions and pointed me in the right direction.

Had to figure out a cheap and robust way to make the table legs height adjustable.

Just needs a couple of weld spots.

Time for painting

Finally..

Then I put on the top, used 24mm weather resistant plywood.

And who doesn't need some party lights under the workbench?

That's about it, very happy with the bench

 

[pat cooks]

fantastic restoration, now enjoy driving it!

if you look at retro auto moto No.113 you will see my latest restoration, not sure what Velli is saying about me though as it is all in Finnish, may be worth contacting him to do a feature on your car? after all you already have the pictures......

 

[Gransin]

fantastic restoration, now enjoy driving it!

if you look at retro auto moto No.113 you will see my latest restoration, not sure what Velli is saying about me though as it is all in Finnish, may be worth contacting him to do a feature on your car? after all you already have the pictures......

Thanks Pat, I will!

Have to check for that magazine next time I'm in town

 

[Belgiumbarry]

pitty , i couldn't see the date on the calendar ….

 

[pat cooks]

did it have a date strip? I am not sure if retro is subscription only or in shops, the website is www.retro-lehti.fi if you contact Veli mention my name Pat Gill

 

[Gransin]

Preparing for phase two, even if it might still be years out. Hopefully I've also closed a deal on a complete euro "dirty" M30B34 straight out of a running, low miled e28, but I'm buying up some spare parts other people wants to get rid of, so I have options when I finally begin the engine build.

This is a disassembled but complete euro B34, and a B35 head.

 

[Philippe db]

Hi Robert,

Why would you change your engine?

 

[Gransin]

Hi Robert,

Why would you change your engine?

Philippe, simply because I want some more ooomph, and because I think it's fun to play with engines
The 3.0 that's currently in the car is not the original block, it's from an e3 3.0SI, running an L-jet injection on a - 82 stamped head. So it's not precious in any way.
I'm fully aware that it might not be the smartest thing to do, if I was planning on selling it. But IMO I will enjoy it more with a moderately built 3.5L+a G265/6, so that's what I'm going to do.
I will try to make it look as stock as possible, though.

 

[Philippe db]

Hi Robert,

OK get it.

With your knowledge and skills that indeed is just fun and something you'll be able to undo in a wink if you're not happy with it.

When I look at such a project I only see tens of thousands of € in bills and can't but wonder why.

 

[Gransin]

With your knowledge and skills that indeed is just fun and something you'll be able to undo in a wink if you're not happy with it.

When I look at such a project I only see tens of thousands of € in bills and can't but wonder why.

I have no real hands-on knowledge of M30s in that way, we've tinkered with the B30 that's currently in the car, but that's it. My point of view is that if I put together a decent 3.5L from scratch, I will have some knowledge afterwards

I plan on doing everything myself, except the machine work and tuning the new EFI, so hopefully not going to be spending tens of thousands.

 

[Wladek]

The 3.0 that's currently in the car is not the original block, it's from an e3 3.0SI, running an L-jet injection on a - 82 stamped head. So it's not precious in any way.

I'm just curious Robert, what numbers & production year are stamped on your B30 block?

 

[Gransin]

I'm just curious Robert, what numbers & production year are stamped on your B30 block?

17K73 = 17 November 1973
1 252 446 0
I don't remember the VIN number, but I checked it with info.grouparchiv several years ago, and it came back as a 3.0Si, can't find that mail at the moment.
No sign of any 3.0 casting under the intake, maybe that's normal?

 

[Wladek]

17K73 = 17 November 1973
1 252 446 0
I don't remember the VIN number, but I checked it with info.grouparchiv several years ago, and it came back as a 3.0Si, can't find that mail at the moment.
No sign of any 3.0 casting under the intake, maybe that's normal?

VIN doesn't much matter on engine block, maybe if just checking with grouparchiv or VIN decoder.
As for me this is genuine D-Jet block (not L-Jet), little bit early for L-Jet.
Behind flying wheel you should have casting 30 E D.
What kind of pistons you have inside - piano 89,22?

 

[Gransin]

VIN doesn't much matter on engine block, maybe if just checking with grouparchiv or VIN decoder.
As for me this is genuine D-Jet engine (not L-Jet), little bit early for L-Jet.
Behind flying wheel you should have casting 30 E D.
What kind of pistons you have inside - piano 89,22?

I have to say I don't know when the 3.0Si got the L-jet? Beeing a late '73 block, it was most certainly installed in a early - mid '74 3.0Si.
It has piano pistons, 89.xx mm.

 

[Wladek]

I have to say I don't know when the 3.0Si got the L-jet? Beeing a late '73 block, it was most certainly installed in a early - mid '74 3.0Si.
It has piano pistons, 89.xx mm.

Blocks 1 252 446 0 started their life in early 71', so for sure where used in d-jet fi.

 

[Gransin]

Blocks 1 252 446 0 started their life in early 71', so for sure where used in d-jet fi.

That's very good to know, thank you! I should get my hands on some D-jet parts and convert it back when it no longer resides in the car.

 

[Gransin]

So this is the engine I'm planning on using for my engine swap, as long as there isn't any major problems with it when I open it up.
This is the engine I mentioned earlier, supposed to be out of a running, low mileage e28, euro B34. Hrmm, it sure is "dirty" in all kinds of ways

As soon as I have some time to spare, I'll open it and check it out some more.

All cylinders + pistons look good from above

 

[Belgiumbarry]

What year is this Robert ? as i see the roundel BMW logo on the valve cover it isn't a B35... ?
and no thooted balancer.. just the pin for the CPS … as in older engines.