S38 questions

J

John Buchtenkirch

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My friend who worked on Mercedes for years gave me a hand getting my 1991 M5 running last week when he was on vacation from his current job in the entertainment industry. Right away he found some leaking hoses and we replaced the seals in the fuel rail because several were weeping. He commented that BMW was stupid because they don’t have a Schrader valve in the fuel rail to check fuel pressure. He also commented that I should put the S38 engine in my coupe (always my plan) and then put a small block Chevy in the M5 because the body & interior were so clean, he figures it would make it a fun knock around beater type car. I had always figured to break it for parts because the mileage was so high, over 200K.

Anyway my questions are where can I get a manual on rebuilding the S38 engine, I bought the Bentley E34 manual and it has nothing on the S38 engine ?
There was a parts number sticker on the head (third photo), does that mean the head was replaced at one time ?
Any thoughts on the M5 Chevy V8 idea (fourth photo), pro or con are always appreciated ?
THANKS ~ John Buchtenkirch

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There really isn't a specific manual for the S38 rebuild.
Of course the Bentley for the E28 covers most of the body type stuff.
The E24 manual covers the S38 engine.
PM me an email address and I will send you a large PDF which has the engine information in Chapter 11.
Be glad to answer any questions. Not for the faint of heart and very expensive to rebuild.
The absolutely worst thing that happens is giving the head to a machinist that doesn't understand a DOHC head.
Gary


John Buchtenkirch said:
My friend who worked on Mercedes for years gave me a hand getting my 1991 M5 running last week when he was on vacation from his current job in the entertainment industry. Right away he found some leaking hoses and we replaced the seals in the fuel rail because several were weeping. He commented that BMW was stupid because they don’t have a Schrader valve in the fuel rail to check fuel pressure. He also commented that I should put the S38 engine in my coupe (always my plan) and then put a small block Chevy in the M5 because the body & interior were so clean, he figures it would make it a fun knock around beater type car. I had always figured to break it for parts because the mileage was so high, over 200K.

Anyway my questions are where can I get a manual on rebuilding the S38 engine, I bought the Bentley E34 manual and it has nothing on the S38 engine ?
There was a parts number sticker on the head (third photo), does that mean the head was replaced at one time ?
Any thoughts on the M5 Chevy V8 idea (fourth photo), pro or con are always appreciated ?
THANKS ~ John Buchtenkirch

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Hi John

that sticker is your vin # , in that generation car you will find that sticker everywhere. as far as no Schrader valve. the next generation BMW's do have them in the fuel rail, and If my memory is correct that early 90 and earlier MERC's didn't have one either !

BD
 
I'm in the process of rebuilding my S38 for my coupe. I have been unable to find a paper repair manual. I am using BMW's online manual for the M635 and the E34 M5. Here is the link.
https://www.bmwtechinfo.com/repair/main/Index_cd3.htm

Also, there is lots of good info on the S38 here http://bigcoupe.com/

There are a few special tools for the valve adjustment and cam removal. Make friends with your local dealer and borrow their tools like I am doing.

As for your M5. There are a lot of people doing LS swaps on BMWs. They are a whole lot cheaper to build than a BMW engine and make lots of power. I say go for it! Here is a link to a guy selling mounts and headers to do the swap.
http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?1769076-E39-I6-LS-Swap-kit
 
Frankly, given how the E34 M5 is on the bottom of its depreciation curve and is a significant BMW vehicle (last hand-built M, last straight 6 M5) I would suggest you keep it in good kit and leave it alone. I still see E34 M5s go for high teens or higher in good shape. They are on the upswing.

If you want to sub in a S38, grab one from a wreck, since you were planning on a rebuild anyway. No reason to take 2 cars out of commission and kill their originality instead of just 1.

I have seen a few LS1 E34s; it is a fine engine, if a bit unrefined compared to the M60. No arguing the torque and power, though. I would be interested to see some other V8 swaps, like the Toyota 3UR-FE (the 5.7L unit in the Tundra).
 
I want to thank everyone who took time to reply to my questions. I was kind of floundering on what to with this car :confused::confused::confused: and now I have some new directions to consider & research. It’s been so cold I’ve closed down the back 5/8 of my shop for the winter so once again the M5 is on the back-burner for at least 9 weeks........ I’ve got some time to think things over.

THANK YOU SO MUCH :smile:. ~ John Buchtenkirch
 
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