Help with Block Stamps

eludvigs

eludvigs

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Wondering if anyone can help me decipher the codes stamped on my block.

The plate above the starter has two X's on it ...

But on the back of the block I find the following

635ELA on left side behind head (believe this means M30 motor from 635CSi)
J 80 on right side behind head
4255 further down

Did think this might be an M90 due to the painted "L" on the left side of the block. Not sure though.

Link to picture

https://www.icloud.com/photostream/#A7532ODWY1Cl6;99098A9E-1948-4950-8564-D347A1F5D017

Many thanks for any tips.
 
The white L should mean M90, If you look under the rear of the camshaft, there should be M90 cast into the head, and on the front face of the head, where the cam sprocket is attached, another M90 casting. Head may have been changed though. If you enter the 7 numbers between the 2 Xs into a vin search engine, I will give you the build year and month. From that you can do a parts lookup which will give you piston diameter. 93.4 for M90 A euro 3.5 motor up to 9/82 should/could be an M90. the numbers 635ELA mean straight 6, 3.5 litre E for injected not sure about L and A. Early M90 was L jet, the last year or so were motronic 1. The only absolute way of telling though is to measure the bores. Some have a water jacket casting that extends from the water pump to about cylinder 4, others have a very short water jacket casting, only about 2 inches. I just bought an M 90 myself and spent a week trawling the web to be sure of what it is. Also, for M90 motronic, the dme controk box ends in 002
 
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Where have you access to a VIN decoder that correctly recognizes only seven digits?

OP may find he is looking at an 80's 318i otherwise.
 
If it is an M90, the numbers are the last 7 of the vin, the motor was only in Euro e23 e24 and e12 M5351, 78/79 onwards. Google BMW vin decoder, the best one is run by a guy with Japanese name associated with a Z1 forum. Most decoders including BMW fans info and real oem only need the last 7 numbers.
 
XX without a VIN means it is a factory replacement block, on replacements there were application numbers stamped on the back. 635ELA means the application it was sold for was a 635, but I cannot say more specifically what the ELA or the other stampings mean. The painted L on the side used to designate long block but I see from various net sources it being described as "M90" (M88 block with an M30 head?!? )
 
dp said:
XX without a VIN means it is a factory replacement block, on replacements there were application numbers stamped on the back. 635ELA means the application it was sold for was a 635, but I cannot say more specifically what the ELA or the other stampings mean. The painted L on the side used to designate long block but I see from various net sources it being described as "M90" (M88 block with an M30 head?!? )
Click to expand...

+1
xx is replacement
 
As you probably guessed, I didn't realise there was an album of photos. Makes my vin search suggestion a little redundant. Your block looks just like mine, which is definitely M90.
One other indicator is the L jet ecu which is 0280 001 114
 

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How do you like the MaxJax? I assume from the "cable" markings you have a post tensioned floor? Same here. I'm thinking about buying a MaxJax this summer so I can drop the engine and trans.

What's the significance of the Hartage? Is that also what's on the rear panel?
 
Thanks all for the help here.!

I've kept the head on since everything seems nice and tight ... motor ran fine before pulling it, so only reason now to crack it open is to solve the case beyond a reasonable doubt.

MaxJax has been great. Super easy to install and takes up very little space. Cost me a few hundred to have a guy x-ray my post tension concrete. Took him all of 20 minutes.

For me MaxJax was the only solution that would work due to height constraints in the garage. I can get the car to full lift without hitting anything. You arent walking under it ... more like scooting around on rolling stools.
 
M90 stopped after the 81 model year. In 81, contrary to popular belief, it had Motronic injection rather than Ljet. The early M90 had a raised water passage on the driver's side, but!, the last year of the M90, I am not sure what month the change was, did not have the raised water passage. I know this as my 81` euro 635 has this set up. It is definitely original as the last 7 of the VIN are stamped onto the flat and I also verified it with Andreas of mobil traditions in Germany. It also had the infamous "L" stenciled on the block
 
M90 was provided in cars until 9/82 The last 7 of the vin from my motor shows car build of 6/82. They were supplied with both L jet and Motronic, not sure of the date of fuel system change. You can see this by piston size in real oem. Mine is a Motronic version. There is so much doubt about these motors as BMW don't recognise them as anything but M30 in parts list etc. I wasn't sure about mine until I measured the bore. Would be interested if anyone can supply camshaft details. Mine has a red band over green, and 7 stamped on the back. It may not be original, as the head is thinner by about 1mm than standard, and the oil bar bolt holes have been helicoiled (i know that pain from my e28 ) but as it has the M90 castings. I am assuming it is the original head
 
Very helpful. Thanks all for the info.

So I guess the question is ... remove the head or not? Only way to know for sure. Wanted to avoid it.
 
Right on .. thanks guys.

After a weekend with a 4 year old bday party on Sat and mothers day on Sun ... no work done on the car. How can people be so selfish with my time?
 
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